AMERICAN GIGOLO (HARRY FRY)

American Gigolo caught my eye when running in junior bumpers for Sally Hall, before going on to score in that sphere for Charlie Mann and he promised plenty in a few runs over hurdles earlier this year. His second to Stowaway Magic at Doncaster was a useful effort, backed up by subsequent wins for the pair behind him and he was not disgraced behind Pingshou at Aintree before getting off the mark at Kempton in May. On that occasion he gave New Agenda first run before beating that promising sort who himself scored at the next time of asking. The handicapper hasn’t missed him with a mark of 130, but he gives the impression that there is plenty more to come, and it’s intriguing that he has found his way into the Harry Fry fold since his last outing.

BARTON KNOLL (JOHN MACKIE)

Barton Knoll races in the familiar dark green and beige silks of Simon Clarke, carried to big race success by the likes of Nacarat and Module and he has a promising chaser of the future in this homebred gelding. An excellent second to recent chase winner Officer Houlihan at Carlisle on hurdles debut, he made it third time lucky at Wetherby’s recent curtain-raiser and did so despite looking in need of the outing after a break. His dam, Barton Flower won twice over fences from four starts, and Barton Knoll is reported by the underrated John Mackie to have a chasing career on his agenda after Christmas, his trainer feeling he could do with strengthening up a little, but he is certainly in good hands, and is sure to pay his way.

BENATAR (GARY MOORE)

Winner of a Loughbrickland point-to-point less than a year ago, Benatar has made a positive start to life under rules for Gary Moore, winning at Fontwell on hurdling bow, and building on a couple of subsequent efforts when fourth to Finian’s Oscar at Aintree in April. Aintree form can be dangerous to take at face value, but the son of Beneficial had looked a work in progress, and had acquitted himself well against well-regarded rivals prior to that Grade 1 effort and the chances are that he’s full value for it. He was bred by Richard ‘Carrigeen’ Lalor, and has plenty of chase winners in his family, suggesting he’ll do better still when tackling fences and he’ll be placed to advantage by his shrewd handler, who doesn’t overface his horses unnecessarily.

CAPE OF GLORY (KEITH DALGLEISH)

One of a pair for Keith Dalgleish in this list, Cape Of Glory is rated 115 by the BHA handicapper and looks capable of rating a fair bit higher. He was trying to concede a penalty to subsequent Fred Winter-placed pair Nietzche and Project Bluebook on his second hurdles start and then reverted to the flat. Two runs back over timber in August have not got to the bottom of him and he can make hay off his current mark granted a sharp test.

MIXBOY (KEITH DALGLEISH)

Mixboy ended his novice chase season with form figures “PF”, but really took the eye before his stamina gave way in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March and had a difference of opinion with his rider when falling at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting. He can really take a cut at his fences, as when making all at Musselburgh in January, and I feel he will be at his best when asked to dominate, particularly given a sharpish test around two miles. He’s won on the flat since his Ayr mishap.