Conflated: Third to Envoi Allen in this race 12 months ago before improving to record second Grade 1 win over three miles at Leopardstown. Commendable effort to finish third under today’s rider Sam Ewing in Gold Cup, beaten 13 lengths by Galopin Des Champs, the standout piece of form on offer here. Have to forgive him a poor comeback in Daily Star Chase at Punchestown - well held by Minella Indo - but trainer subsequently reported he was well short of work. Can expect much better now.

Envoi Allen: Last year’s winner extended record to four wins from four seasonal reappearances at this festival. Disappointing in King George then but bounced right back to claim Ryanair Chase, his eighth Grade 1 win. Clearly has a liking for this course and will be a real threat at his best but worryingly has already broke his first time out pattern at this meeting with disappointing third at Gowran Park last month, and notably all bar one of his wins for Henry de Bromhead have come off an absence.

Gerri Colombe: Three-time Grade 1-winning novice chaser and arguably should be four, if he made his challenge just a fraction earlier in Brown Advisory at Cheltenham. Put that right with an authoritative win at Aintree, confirming the impression that he’d be even better at three miles - earlier Grade 1 wins came over two and a half miles. That versatility stamps him out as a real Gold Cup contender but he is the only horse in this field making his seasonal debut and it seems obvious he won’t be at full pelt. Still, he may well have the class to get through and soft ground is ideal for his comeback.

Minella Indo: 2021 Gold Cup winner’s form has been patchy since, just two wins from eight - when receiving weight from Stattler in New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore and last time out on seasonal debut in Daily Star Chase at Punchestown. He only just held Hurricane Georgie in that Grade 3, and suspicion is he may be on the wane, especially at this level - he was pulled up in last season’s Gold Cup, a track where he had previously had an excellent record.

Conclusion

Gerri Colombe is the best long term prospect here and is fancied to make a winning start but his stablemate Conflated should not be underestimated. While his opening effort at Punchestown was disappointing, it cannot have been his true running, so expect a much better version today. Backing him to follow Gerri Colombe home in a straight forecast or indeed straight at 6/1 looks a decent option.