1:15
It is very hard to get away from BRAVEMANSGAME who looks to be a class above this field. His victory in the Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas is easily the best form on offer and he should win despite the big weight.
1:50
The Big Breakaway has class edge, but his recent form is very uninspiring, so he is best left alone. Instead, the safer play looks to be RISK AND ROLL who won with any amount in hand at Huntingdon and THE BRIMMING WATER who ran well at Haydock over this trip and has been the model of consistency this season.
2:25
ROYALE PAGAILLE produced a career best to win the Peter Marsh at Haydock for a 2nd time last month and is the most likely winner of this race if he repeats that form. That was a hard race though and it may have left its mark, so it is also worth including CLAN DES OBEAUX who was a creditable 3rd in the King George last time and has fewer questions to answer than the other 3.
3:00
SCEAU ROYAL won this race last year under similar conditions and he is best forgiven his 6th place in the International hurdle at Cheltenham in December. The ground went against him, and it was his 4th start in 8-weeks. He has been given a break and should land this race for a second time.
3:35
This isn’t the deepest renewal of the Betfair hurdle, but it is still competitive. Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this race 3 times in the last 10 years with novices, so it is worth including I LIKE TO MOVE IT, who can be forgiven his run at Ascot where the lack of pace worked against him. GLORY AND FORTUNE was a fair 2nd in the Christmas hurdle behind Epatante and is well treated on that evidence on a mark of 143. JPR ONE looks to be the most exciting novice in the field and could be the best handicapped horse in the race on a mark of 130.
4:10
SURTITLE was 2nd in a decent bumper here in November and looks to be a nice recruit for Fergal O’Brien. He is on the shortlist along with SONIGINO, who had some good form in France and whose 4th place in a handicap at Ascot is amongst the best form on offer.
