T: Nicky Henderson
This gelding trained by champion National Hunt winner Nicky Henderson is an impressive 7yo with six wins in 17. Hasn’t seen the success of old as falls and unseating his rider last year at Sandown but is undoubtedly up there in the grades and so has plenty of chance in this one as well suited to the 2m mark.
T: Nicky Henderson
Another trained by Nicky Henderson but with much more recent dazzling success but pays the price by going up 6lb. However a win last time out at Sandown at a longer distance back in April and so starts fresh in this one with a lot to prove. Winning more often than not and only missing out on the places once this horse looks the one to beat with its pedigree and form.
T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Another horse on great form on the back of last season with four wins in a row, this 5yo likes this kind of distance on ground of soft or heavy. Has actually seen off an astounding 49 runners in the last four wins and this grade 1 mare looks set to be able to prove again on this ground.
T: Paul Nicholls
Despite the form and the places in all of this season’s races Old Guard will need to find something extra to dispute first place as he’s struggled to do of late. If on top form though like in February at Fontwell then he has all the chance to dispute the front but still has plenty of chance in each way.
T: Evan Williams
Returned to great form in the new season in May and has seen winning ways at Ffos Las and Haydock at 2m. Proven on this distance and highly rated will dispute the lead but has many of contenders up the front so will most likely track the leaders. The last few furlongs will be where this gelding needs to reaffirm his form of late.
T: Tom George
The highly rated Summerville Boy raced just a couple of weeks ago and despite a fourth it was a slightly disappointing display to put an end to place streak that sees a weight punishment for the latest victories. Proven on many occasions at grade 1 level looks set to be the favourite but among a strong field and the last run at Newcastle he’s going to need to find the same sort of form as earlier this year at this C&D.
T: Nigel Twiston-Davies
This 10yo gelding has a lot to prove since a disappointing run in October in a Class 2 handicap when seventh of eight, including being pulled up at Aintree earlier this year. Certainly suits this distance more than previous races where the form comes off the pace but the field should suit a lot more to make an impact at the front.
T: Jeremy Scott
Will need to improve majorly if to challenge the places as the rating suggests may struggle in this one. Has proven on occasion that he can go the distance but has seen many more races than the rest so could prove experience is key in this 2m course that could be the turnaround he needs if he replicates the win at Taunton in a similar turn out to this field.
T: Colin Tizzard
Comes down a grade to better suit his current form, but placed last time out at Newcastle and so shouldn’t be disregarded. Lower on the weight this time for that struggle to finish well last time out and so this distance should suit much better as a place at Aintree at a longer distance suggests.
T: Nicky Henderson
This French gelding has the form to dispute the market favourite and he will be heading up the front from the offset with his pace. Seems to much prefer the slightly shorter distance of 2m if the last time out at Ascot is anything to go by. Past class 1 wins earlier this year at the same distance proves to give this horse with the strike rate of 50% wins the edge among these runners.
T: Warren Greatrex
A much improving stable and this gelding will need to find a faster pace to stay in contention as long as struggled to place in recent races. Will have to revert back to form of last year with two wins after another before but it looks unlikely unless the ground really suits and is back on his best condition.
