Irish raider who kept on well for close third on last month's handicap chase debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft); not yet fully exposed over fences and features prominently in calculations here.
Easily won three-runner C&D (good) contest on last month's seasonal debut (first run after wind op) and subsquent third of four at Ascot (2m5f, good) was perfectly respectable; big player if first-time blinkers have any positive effect.
Mostly out of form for Gary Brown last season and absent since pulled up in Scottish National on stable debut in April; however, held narrow lead before last-fence fall in Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster (3m, good) in January and remains very well treated on old form for Nicky Henderson.
Very unexposed 6yo who comfortably won a 2m novice hurdle here (good to soft) just under a year ago; makes handicap/chase debut after 328-day absence but his promising Irish point debut in 2023 bodes well for his prospects over fences; market may guide.
Drew a blank over hurdles last season but returned to chasing with win at Bangor (2m4f, soft) last month, after a break, and is still on a workable mark after recent 6lb rise.
2-7 over hurdles; third best on merit and flattered by proximity when second in two-finisher Chepstow novice chase (2m7f, good to firm) on seasonal debut in October but significant positives can still be drawn from that performance and he's open to improvement over fences.
Largely consistent over hurdles for Paul Nicholls; absent since underwhelming chase debut in March but makes debut for Nicky Henderson (same owners) from a workable mark and with trip/ground suitable.
Fair novice hurdler last season; well beaten on last month's seasonal/chase debut at Lingfield (2m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but might have needed that recent outing and still has potential over fences.
2-5 over fences; may still have more improvement to come but absent since winninng 0-110 contest at Southwell (2m4f, good) 13 months ago and will need to hit the ground running to have any chance in this grade.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
