Minella Times – Last year’s hero, but gone from bottom to top of weights, and has failed to complete on either start since. Needs a career best.

Delta Work – Grade 1 performer who found a new lease of life when winning at Cheltenham last month on maiden Cross Country voyage. That will put some lead in his pencil, and recent rain is a plus.

School Boy Hours – Impressive winner of Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, and that form is strong. Flopped at Cheltenham, but the fact his owner has scratched two others to give him a run looks significant.

Any Second Now – Excellent third last year, and beat Escaria Ten in Bobbyjo Chase on his only start over fences this season. Looks primed to run for his life, and shortlisted.

Run Wild Fred – Consistent since blinkers have gone on, winning Troytown Chase, and placed in Irish Grand National. Second in National Hunt Chase last month, and can go well if over those exertions.

Lostintranslation – Grade 1 winner who scored at Ascot on his return. Not gone on from that, albeit in face of some stiff tasks, but does jump well.

Brahma Bull – Third in Ladbrokes Trophy, but he’s often let down by jumping, including in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last month. Risky.

Burrows Saint – Ran well until stamina ebbed away after the last 12 months ago, and can show up well again, but slammed by Any Second Now and Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo, and held on that evidence.

Mount Ida – Kim Muir winner last year, but again had jumping issues at Cheltenham last month, and while longer trip is a positive, worry is that she could find herself on the back foot in the early stages.

Longhouse Poet – Gained lots of admirers with slick-jumping success in Thyestes Chase on his penultimate start. Yard’s only previous winner of that race went on to win the Grand National, so not to be taken lightly.

Fiddlerontheroof – Classy second-season chaser, who was second in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, and found only Fortescue too strong at Ascot last time. In the first two on all starts over fences except when a below-par third here last year.

Two For Gold – Better than ever when second to Fakir D’Oudairies in two-mile-five-furlong Grade 1 at Ascot last time. His best efforts have come at short of three miles, but stays that trip, and has claims if he is hiding reserves of stamina as yet untapped.

Santini – When Roy Scheider said in Jaws: “You’re going to need a bigger boat,” he was talking about Santini. Will keep galloping, but others will keep galloping slightly faster.

Samcro – Was hailed as the next Arkle in his youth, and a dual Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winner to bolster that belief. Has regressed badly, though, and hopes rest on this unique test sparking his old brilliance.

Escaria Ten – Third in the National Hunt Chase last year, and just caught on the line by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase on his latest start. Well treated on that, although slight worry that he’s not performed to his best in his few handicap outings.

Good Boy Bobby – Won Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby in December, but lucky there, and couldn’t back that effort up next time. Jumps well, but whether he can stay this sort of trip is up for debate.

Romain De Senam – All wins for previous yards at short of three miles and in small fields, and he was tailed off on his debut for new yard in Midlands National.

Coko Beach – Smart novice last term, but both wins in bottomless going, and hasn’t thrived on a busy campaign this time, enduring some hard races in the process. Last seven-year-old to win this was Bogskar in 1940, so he has that significant stat to defy.

De Rasher Counter – Has had his injury problems since winning the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019, but showed ability remains on his return from another absence at Newbury in February. Clearly risky, but an interesting outsider.

Kildisart – Another coming back from serious injury, having won on this card in 2019. Shaped well on his return from a lay-off at Newbury last month, and should be suited by this test. One to bear in mind.

Discorama – Had a poor preparation for this last year, but shaped with abundant promise until lack of fitness told. Ran well when second at Fairyhouse in February, and an improved effort expected given that solid prep.

Top Ville Ben – Missed 2020/21 with an injury; won over hurdles at Lingfield in January, but took a heavy fall in the Becher Chase in December, and is best when able to dominate in small fields.

Enjoy D’Allen – Has improved for severe headgear, finishing third in 2021 Irish Grand National; caught the eye when third to School Boy Hours at Leopardstown in December. Unexposed at staying trips, and the type to do better still.

Anibale Fly – Fourth and fifth in previous runnings of this, but ran badly last year, and limited encouragement since, albeit racing over inadequate trips on most outings.

Dingo Dollar – Second in last year’s Scottish Grand National, and has been kept fresh for this, so makes some appeal. Best to ignore a poor run over these fences for his previous trainer, as the yard was in a slump at the time.

Freewheelin Dylan – Won Irish Grand National last year at 150/1, and claims on that form, but he’s failed to complete in two starts this season, and is best when allowed his own way in front.

Class Conti – Claims on form which saw him placed in the Thyestes Chase last term, but tailed off in this race 12 months ago, and no promise this season.

Noble Yeats – A final ride before retirement for Sam Waley-Cohen, who has enjoyed some fine moments here; form only in flashes this season, but has caught the eye on occasion, and not a complete shock to see him step up.

Mighty Thunder – Scottish Grand National winner in 2021, but has pulled up on both starts since his return (breathing issue last time), and takes a leap of faith to support him now.

Cloth Cap – Favourite last year, but suffered a breathing problem in the race. Has not refound his best form, and tendency to jump left is a worry, as is his continued weak finishing.

Snow Leopardess – Ultra-game Becher Chase winner who has been backed into favouritism, and ticks all the romantic boxes as an almost white mare who has returned to racing after having a foal. Everyone will be crying if she wins, but mostly the bookies.

Agusta Gold – Only chase wins in mares’ races, and hasn’t gone on for a move from Mags Mullins to Willie. Looks out of her depth.

Commodore – Impressed when making all at Cheltenham on his reappearance, dispensing easily with Santini, and jumping superbly. Not easy to do the same here, but will give his all.

Deise Aba – Looks good at Sandown, but chase form elsewhere in last two years reads PPPP. Won’t enjoy this.

Blaklion – Staged a revival with two Haydock wins in December, and excuses last time, but older than Methusaleh, and unlikely to better last season’s sixth.

Poker Party – Has shown nothing in three starts since returning from a lengthy absence at Christmas.

Death Duty – Won Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February, and not at all disgraced when sixth in Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham last month. Could figure at a decent price.

Domaine De L’Isle – Fourth to Snow Leopardess in the Becher, but made hard work of that, and similar story when down the field in the Eider.

Eclair Surf – Won Classic Chase at Warwick, and second in Eider to Win My Wings franked by latter’s Scottish Grand National win. Can make the odd blunder, but certainly well treated.

Fortescue – Better than ever when beating Fiddlerontheroof at Ascot last time under this rider (unable to claim here), and looks a thorough stayer, so one to bear in mind, for all this is a step up.

Verdict

If at first you don’t succeed. DISCORAMA was my pick last year, and he shaped well despite lacking match fitness. This time round, he has had a much better preparation, but is twice the price, so I won’t desert him. Fiddlerontheroof hasn’t won the races he should have over fences, but is an excellent jumper with a touch of class, so rates the main threat. J.P. McManus has a strong hand, and Any Second Now should back up last season’s sound effort, for all Enjoy D’Allen might prove the best of those in green and gold.

1. Discorama

2. Fiddlerontheroof

3. Enjoy D’Allen

4. Any Second Now