Trainer - Paul Nicholls
Jockey -
The 7yo Coup De Pinceau failed to land a hat-trick of wins on his first three starts over fences last time out at Doncaster.
That effort saw him climb up to graded company for the first time steeplechasing, and he was vigorously outclassed by Kim Bailey's Rocky's Treasure.
Could be worth another go though, but will need to be able to cope with top weight.
Trainer - Nick Gifford
Jockey -
Another runner from the 32Red.com Chase at Kempton that franked the form from that contest with a win at the same venue just two weeks later.
The fourth and fifth have also won in different contests since, and Glen Rocco looks a sharp improver and has effectively risen from the grass roots of racing.
Remains very lightly raced for an 8yo, and should go well here in decent conditions.
Trainer - Colin Tizzard
Jockey -
Two wins from three since stepped up to fences, and was prolific last time out at Newbury.
In a way, he conquered the form of that Christmas Chase featuring Glen Rocco, as the 6yo cruised to an easy success over Carlos Du Fruitier who finished third in that very contest.
Also won at Plumpton this season on chasing bow, and very much a contender here stepping up in grade.
Trainer - Stuart Edmunds
Jockey - Tom O'Brien
Slow start to chasing, with a distant second preceding an unseat at Huntingdon, but put his mistakes behind in with a better effort at Uttoxeter in December.
He did appear to jump away to his right at Chepstow latest, but this time got the job done with this jockey aboard.
Has not been raised as a result, and will be favoured by Ascot's right-handed track.
Player.
Trainer - Olly Murphy
Jockey -
Won a weak race when lowered in grade at Lingfield four days into the new year.
That was off the back of a miserable run in a Pertemps series qualifier at Newbury, where he was last to finish and was virtually pulled up on the run-in.
Fears this may be too hot also, and much to prove on that basis.
Trainer - Graeme McPherson
Jockey -
Skipthecuddles seems to have gone the wrong way since moving onto fences, and was a long way behind Santini in his only run at this level back in December.
Decent hurdler who was not disgraced by any means when finishing eighth in the 2017 Neptune Investment at the Cheltenham Festival at sky-high odds.
That's probably his career best to-date, and was last seen finishing fifth at Chepstow on Welsh Grand National day, indicating he has a lot of ground to make up.
Trainer - Philip Kirby
Jockey - Sean Quinlan
Trainer having a fine season in front of goal, and looks to have a great chance of adding further success with the highly progressive Top Ville Ben here.
Hurdles did not really seem fit for him but yet found new life as a chaser at the start of this season, proving he is far more reliable over tougher obstacles - strange?
Wins at both Hexham and Wetherby where he had plenty in hand, suggests he is definitely in with chances on his first start in this sort of field.
Trainer - Venetia Williams
Jockey -
Surely got Skipthecuddles covered on the basis of his win at Chepstow over Christmas.
However, made his first real mistake at a racetrack when falling at the first at Exeter not too long ago when heavily fancied.
Cracking record over obstacles as a whole until then, and will look to make amends with his backers.
Leading claims.
Trainer - Anthony Honeyball
Jockey -
Midnight Tune looked destined for one of the top handicaps at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival until her fall at Plumpton on Wednesday when in front two out.
Still holds plenty of ability and was going fine until coming to grief, so has a chance to put it right here.
Good form this season when behind Molly The Dolly at Uttoxeter, and this trainer is renowned for his fine group of mares at the stable.
Contender.
Trainer - Charlie Longsdon
Jockey -
At the bottom sits Treackle Tart in the colours of the Bradley Partnership, and she won smartly despite hanging left at Doncaster just before the turn of the year.
Was prominent throughout and showed her grit and determination once headed to get back up, which was a much smarter effort than when behind the other mare Midnight Tune in that Uttoxeter contest many weeks ago.
Has matured a bit since then, and can go well here on conditions that surely favour.
