Hillcrest (Ire)
- J: Sam Twiston-Davies
- T: Henry Daly
- F:
- Age
- 10
- Weight
- 11st 4lbs
- Or
- -
Unbeaten when completing over hurdles, galloping on strongly on first crack at 3m in a Grade 2 at Haydock almost 3 years ago. Made a more than satisfactory return after 33 months on the sidelines on chasing debut at Haydock but had a hard race that day and went backwards at Cheltenham 4 weeks ago.
Range (Ire)
- J: Dylan Johnston
- T: Sam Thomas
- F:
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11st 4lbs
- Or
- -
Novice hurdle winner who struck at the second time of asking over fences in 19.5f Chepstow handicap. However, below par at Kempton since and this a tough race to bounce back in.
- Age
- 8
- Weight
- 11st 4lbs
- Or
- -
Progressive over hurdles, winning 2 of 3 starts last term. Very much a chasing type and shaped promisingly on comeback/chase bow when 4 lengths third of 5 to Handstands at Sandown last month, just caught out by the downhill fence both times. Will improve on that and 5 lb better off with winner here.
Cherie D'am (Fr)
- J: Harry Skelton
- T: Dan Skelton
- F:
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11st 2lbs
- Or
- -
Progressed into quite a useful novice hurdler last season and built on chase debut promise when winning mares listed chase at Warwick last month, jumping well from the front. Another bold bid expected.
- Age
- 7
- Weight
- 11st 4lbs
- Or
- -
On the up over hurdles last season, scoring twice in novice company at Wincanton. Looks the part for chasing and was making a promising start in this sphere when coming down 2 out at Cheltenham on return. Respectable fourth at Exeter since and remains one to view positively. Tongue tie applied.
Handstands (Ire)
- J: Ben Jones
- T: Ben Pauling
- F:
- Age
- 6
- Weight
- 11st 9lbs
- Or
- -
Won on sole outing in points before landing his first 3 starts over hurdles last term. Let down by jumping on chase bow/return but clearly learnt plenty from that when winning 5-runner Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown last month. Big shout under a penalty with drop back in trip no problem.
Timeform Verdict 
HANDSTANDS looked potentially smart when winning a similar event at Sandown 5 weeks ago, having too much speed for his rivals on his first attempt at 3m, and can get the better of Saint Davy again back over this shorter trip under a 5 lb penalty. Cherie d'Am has continued her progress since switched to fences and is another to consider.
Betting Forecast
18/1 Hillcrest (Ire), 16/1 Range (Ire), 11/4 Saint Davy (Fr), 10/3 Cherie D'am (Fr), 10/1 Lord Of Thunder (Ire), 5/2 Handstands (Ire)