Bobs Worth gained his second Festival win when taking RSA Chase 12 months ago, and progressed again in defying high mark in Hennessy (very strong form) on return. Capable of even better after just 5 chase starts.
Bog Warrior was held when falling last over fences on return and unbeaten in three starts back over hurdles since, making all when landing odds stepped up to 3m at Gowran last time. Plenty to find, though.
Cape Tribulation won over hurdles at this fixture in 2012 and now getting act together over fences, further improvement when collaring Imperial Commander close home in Grade 2 event here in January.
Captain Chris won Amlin at Ascot in November and good second since in King George (beaten neck by Long Run) and Betfair Ascot Chase won by Cue Card (would have gone close but for bad mistake 2 out).
Long Run looked a top class when winning King George and this race in 2011. Back to winning ways when wearing down Captain Chris in the latest renewal of King George and headgear now fitted for the first time.
Monbeg Dude improved to land valuable handicap here (27f) prior to Welsh National success in January, despite less than fluent jumping. Laboured third at Haydock last time, and needs a thorough test of stamina.
Silviniaco Conti is a fine jumper who has impressed in winning Charlie Hall at Wetherby, Betfair Chase at Haydock and Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury (by 7 lengths from The Giant Bolster) this season.
Sir des Champs is unbeaten at the Cheltenham Festival having won the 2011 Martin Pipe and 2012 Jewson. Warmed up with game success in Irish Hennessy and strongest Irish contender in this for a while.
Sunnyhillboy was much improved when landing Kim Muir here last year, and pipped in Grand National subsequently. Fair effort on return over hurdles at Haydock, but ran poorly at Warwick last time.
The Giant Bolster showed himself a top-class chaser when runner-up in Gold Cup last season, and creditable placed efforts behind Silviniaco Conti at Haydock and Newbury this term. Vulnerable for the win, though.
Wayward Prince finished a good second to Silviniaco Conti in Charlie Hall then went one better in listed event at Aintree, but lacklustre effort behind Cape Tribulation at Cheltenham last time.
Timeform 1-2-3
1. Sir des Champs
2. Bobs Worth
3. Long Run
Timeform's View: Bobs Worth is a worthy market leader but he did have to miss his intended warm-up in the Argento having been 'not quite right' according to his trainer. With that in mind, it could pay to side with another dual Festival winner in Sir des Champs, who seems to be crying out for this sort of test. Long Run is yet to finish worse than third in 24 races and makes plenty of each-way appeal.
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