Trainer – David Cottin
Jockey – Felix De Giles
Has only won four of 53 starts, but has seen steady improvement since stepping up in the distances and is now seeing a much better form, winning at Compiegne last month sees a slight outside chance and must keep that form going if it’s to challenge.
Trainer – Willie P Mullins
Jockey – P W Mullins
Couldn’t finish well when fourth of four at Punchestown last time out and never challenged the front and stayed fourth throughout. Shows little promise based on form and weight and so needs to come up with more if to challenge the likes of Grand National winners. If past form in the last season is to go by though then could challenge if improves.
Trainer – Peter Fahey
Jockey – Richie McLernon
This 9yo has nothing to shout about this season struggling in this C&D over a month ago, but could come back to revisit form of old. Recently though also struggled with a shorter distance at Navan and even PU at Listowel September of last year, the improvement is much needed over this trip and can hopefully now handle the distance with the pace but would be surprising if he does.
Trainer – Gordon Elliott
Jockey – J Cod
This 13-year-old has plenty of experience in the cross country challenges including a win in this race previously. Suits varying ground, so a trip at this distance is no problem as proven when an impressive third and fourth at Aintree and Punchestown, respectively. This field has many looking to make up the mark and a handicap has plenty to offer but this horse doesn’t often lead till the end and will need to see a similar challenge last year to finish where expected.
Trainer – Jamie Snowden
Jockey – Gavin Sheehan
This 8 year old has been impressive this year so far only faltering at Sedgefield in October when falling at a much higher weight. He likes this distance though and has seen three places in the last four runs and if looking to build on that could definitely be up there with the front pack towards the end. With the form quite impressive over the last two years there’s plenty of hope but coming up to a field of this handicap could prove to go either way with how the pace is determined.
Trainer – Henry de Bromhead
Jockey – Rachel Blackmore
Impressed at a handicap back in September and is up on the weights for that, but last time out at Punchestown unseated the rider in a similar field, but shorter trip. Hasn’t gone further than 3m1f before and this slightly longer course could suit but would have to keep up the pace despite the experience of some of the others looking more likely.
Trainer – Enda Bolger
Jockey – Mark Walsh
A recognisable hurdler at this stage with impressive form at this distance and course last time out when favourite of seven horse in a class 2 handicap. Really disappointed the race before at Galway and should remain as such but wins and places earlier on this year could prove vital to the finishing power this time out but shouldn’t have too much chance if on the same form in October. But has won 9 of his 36 starts so could lead from the front in the first few.
Trainer – Emma Lavelle
Jockey – Leighton Aspell
Hasn’t seen much success at all over the last year or so and will need to really improve to make any impact here. Could have gone the distance at Fontwell last time out but fell in a field of 4 and hasn’t raced for a while since then which could prove vital. But if form is anything to go by it’s a long shot even if just for the experience of the rider.
Trainer – Enda Bolger
Jockey – Niall Madden
This gelding has seen success last time out in November at Punchestown and so goes an extra distance to see how he fairs. Disappointed in trips previous to that however and could actually prefer the longer trip since coming from Ireland.
Trainer – Gordon Elliott
Jockey – Thomas Beaurain
This 9 year old has a lot less experience than the rest of the field and that should be considered when looking at these 11 runners. But with a fairly impressive form of late only just missing out on the places last time out it’s possible this gelding has enough to go the distance but will really need to improve but the weight could prove enough to help keep up the good form.
Trainer – S Curling
Jockey – Derek O’Connor
Impressed back in March at this distance among a large field in a decent handicap and since then has struggled to get in the frame with the step up in weight, but among the shorter distances since then has struggled to get into the frame as well, this trip over to England could be worth it but with only 5 wins to his name others a fancied with better forms.
