Ask Me Early (IRE)

7yo b g (313/311P1-)

Ask – Cotton Ali

Caught the eye when posting a good time figure in a three-mile handicap chase in January on soft ground. He was heavily backed on his next start but was pulled up. After being treated for a kissing spine, he won well off 135 at Uttoxeter in March. There is a big handicap chase in him, probably on soft ground. (Harry Fry)

Galopin Des Champs (FR)

5yo bl g (12P61-1)

Timos - Manon Des Champs

This French import made huge strides in the spring. He was far from disgraced when sixth in a hot Grade 1 contest at the Dublin Racing Festival before bolting up in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham on good ground off a mark of 142. Next stop Punchestown where he coasted home in a Grade 1 novice over three miles. Paul Townend said then he could be a Stayers’ Hurdle contender but Willie Mullins indicated he would prefer to send him chasing. Wherever he goes, he has to be followed. (Willie Mullins)

Galvin (IRE)

7yo b g (F422/11111-1)

Gold Well – Burren Moonshine

The form book says Ian Ferguson trained this fellow to win the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but it was good to see the horse returned to Gordon Elliott for this season and he continued his progress at Punchestown on Wednesday. The form of his Cheltenham win looks strong. He has run well at Cheltenham several times now but, having shown he stays four miles, perhaps the Scottish Grand National would be a good target this season. (Gordon Elliott)

Ginto (FR)

5yo b g (121-)

Walk In The Park – Tina Rederie

Gordon Elliott trained this horse to win his point-to-point in October 2020 and it was then he was bought by Noel and Valerie Moran for £470,000. He didn’t look worth that sum in two subsequent bumper outings (placed second and first) but the form worked out and one suspects he needs further than two miles to be seen at his best. Could he be one for a handicap hurdle over a trip? (Gordon Elliott)

My Drogo (GB)

6yo b g (21111-)

Milan – My Petra

Is this the most promising young jumper trained in Britain? He was a 50/1 shot when he made his debut in a modest Cheltenham bumper 12 months ago and he just improved on every start. Well placed by Dan Skelton, he went to Aintree a fresh horse where he put up a very good closing sectional time in winning his Grade 1. Follow him over fences. (Dan Skelton)

Secret Reprieve (IRE)

7yo b g (515/522/F11-)

Flemensfirth - Oscar’s Reprieve

Evan Williams has had several horses placed in the Grand National at Aintree and he looked to have a great chance of finally winning the big one with this horse but he just failed to make the cut at the declaration stage. There is definitely another big one in him, based on his Welsh National win off 134. Given Chepstow is local to the trainer, perhaps that is where they will go again this Christmas. (Evan Williams)

Time To Get Up (IRE)

8yo ch g (Presenting – Gales Return)

Presenting - Gales Return

This is my idea of the 2022 Grand National winner. He has all the credentials. He is lightly raced yet has big race experience, having won the Midlands National last March. He jumps and stays, and is still at the right end of the handicap. Rising nine, he is just the right age too. (Jonjo O’Neill)

Zanahiyr (IRE)

4yo ch g (1114-2)

Nathaniel – Zariyna

He looked like the next Istabraq on his first three starts over hurdles last winter. He was a disappointing fourth in the Triumph and then second at Punchestown. Neither were bad runs but his yard was not in great form at either Festival and he is surely better than that. If he can recapture his brilliance this season, he would be a certainty for a big handicap, but he might just be better than that too. (Gordon Elliott)