1:45
This looks to be a Grade 1 in name only, but GIN ON LIME and ERNE RIVER have been highly progressive over fences and the pair wouldn’t need to find too much improvement to be involved in the finish here.
2:20
PIED PIPER sets the standard, but he had a hard race in the Triumph and that was less than 3-weeks ago, so it is also worth including the progressive handicappers BRAZIL and PETIT TONNERRE.
2:55
KEMBOY won this in 2019 and looks to have a good chance of adding to that. PROTEKTORAT finished 3rd in the Gold Cup and if that race hasn’t left its mark, he should also be involved in the finish.
3:30
EPATANTE and ZANAHIYR chased home Honeysuckle in the Champion hurdle last time out and if either repeat that effort then they will probably win this.
4:05
JETT ran well for a long way in last season’s Grand National and should go close under Sam Waley-Cohen, who rides this track so well. COUSIN PASCAL won this last season and needs respecting despite a lackluster effort at Cheltenham. CLONDAW WESTIE finished 4th a year ago and could outrun his odds again, as could CAT TIGER for David Maxwell.
4:40
BEFORE MIDNIGHT looks to have a favourites chance after he got within a length of the talented Funambule Sivola at Doncaster. ELIXIR DU NUTZ is best forgiven his run in the Grand Annual when the ground clearly wasn’t in his favour. He still looks fairly treated.
