Trainer - Venetia Williams
Jockey - Charlie Deutsch
Always been a game old boy, who encountered some significant injury problems after a below part effort in the Old Roan Chase of 2017 to open his account for that new season.
Finally made his return at Newbury in a Class Two, and jumped notably well and was not for catching, before landing a decent Grade Three at Cheltenham on New Years Day.
Decent Cheltenham Festival form in the past, and a true contender here if on song again.
Trainer - Kim Bailey
Jockey - David Bass
Always been highly thought of away from Cheltenham, where he has certainly found it hard to remain on his feet.
Got the better of subsequent BetVictor Gold Cup winner Baron Alco on second start of the season at Chepstow, before finding Politologue just too good here in the Christy 1965 Chase.
Outstanding display in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, before again running into another high class individual in Top Notch, who had boosted his fitness for that very contest with a run around in the JLT Hurdle just before Christmas on his comeback.
Only half a length to reverse with Politologue, but could be up against it again.
Trainer - Paul Nicholls
Jockey - Harry Cobden
A horse that certainly possesses a lot of ability but does not always appear to show it, certainly proved it here last time out in a twenty-one length romp from the front.
Looked and jumped well, he was never in trouble and was cruising on the bend for home with all the other runners hard at work in the Class Two bet365 Handicap Chase.
Will be aware that likely favourite Waiting Patiently likes to be held up, so should try to conserve enough energy in the tank for any late challengers, if attempting to go off hard from the front end again.
Trainer - Colin Tizzard
Jockey -
Former Champion Chaser runner up Fox Norton looks to now apply his trade over the middle distance, having found three miles too much.
Returned here from a lengthy absence when running with much credit behind Altior in the Clarence House Chase last month, and that would have certainly blown away the cobwebs.
Comes up against old advisory Politologue, who got the better of him in the 2017 Tingle Creek Chase.
Interesting.
Trainer - Paul Nicholls
Jockey - Sam Twiston Davies
Owner John Hales said he always wanted a Gold Cup horse and believe this classy grey had what it takes in the future, but those dreams were shattered when finishing some way off stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in the King George over Christmas.
Finally made the step-up beyond two miles at the back end of last season when clinging on against the classy Willie Mullins-trained Min in the Melling Chase at Aintree.
Winner here in the Christy 1965 back in November, and looks a leading player.
Trainer - Ruth Jefferson
Jockey - Brian Hughes
Ruth Jefferson opted to skip the Dublin Racing Festival with Waiting Patiently, who will now bids for back-to-back Ascot Chases.
His victory in this last season over old fan-favourite Cue Card extended his unbeaten run over fences to seven, before coming to grief in the King George nearly two months ago - when being brought down as a result of Bristol De Mai's early departure.
Officially unbeaten chasing when standing up to his fences, he looks a leading contender at next month's Festival; with his trainer Jefferson already confirming his future date to be in the Ryanair and NOT the Gold Cup.
Can do his claims no harm here and is one of the young rising stars in the division.
