Noble Yeats

Won this two years ago and ran even better when fourth under a big weight last year. Grade 2 hurdle winner in January and ought to be competitive for all he concedes weight all round.

Capodanno

Had a poor preparation when well beaten in last year’s race, but everything has gone well since, with a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham in January sandwiching placed efforts in Grade 1 contests. Classy performer is hard to ignore.

Coko Beach

Took well to the banks at Punchestown when scoring last time and jumped well when second to Chambard over these fences in the Becher Chase. Suspicion is that he’s a bit too high in the weights.

Nassalam

Mudlark who produced a career best when running away with the Welsh National at Chepstow. Did reveal his hand to the handicapper there, however, and has plenty more weight to shoulder now.

Corach Rambler

Impressive winner of 2023 renewal and better than ever when placed in Cheltenham Gold Cup last time. Weighted to go well if that race hasn’t left a mark.

I Am Maximus

Irish Grand National winner has an ideal profile and has been looked after with this race in mind since. Ability not in doubt, and fairly weighted, but jumping can leave something to be desired.

Janidil

Smart chaser in his younger days but barely stays three miles with a following wind and prepped for this by finishing last in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Limited appeal.

Minella Indo

Former Gold Cup winner who shaped well on Cross Country debut at Cheltenham in December. Clearly retains plenty of ability, but not as reliable as he once was.

Mahler Mission

Looked like winning National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last March until falling late and better still when second in the Coral Gold Cup in December. Lacks a recent run, but ticks plenty of the right boxes.

Stattler

Good second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup last February but hasn’t blossomed since, and not sweetened up by a try over banks at Punchestown recently.

Delta Work

Third in this two years ago having beaten Tiger Roll in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham. Won that race again last year but let down by jumping here and bids to make it third time lucky.

Foxy Jacks

Beat Latenightpass in Cross-Country event at Cheltenham in November, but hike in the weights for that was very harsh and he’s often let down by his jumping over fences.

Galvin

Lost Davy Russell at the first last year, and while not disgraced behind Latenightpass in a Cross-Country at Cheltenham in December, he’s not looked the force of old this season.

Farouk D’Alene

Showed he retained ability when second over hurdles two starts back but has failed to complete on three of his last five starts stretching over two years.

Eldorado Allen

Respectable fourth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December behind Mahler Mission but well beaten twice since and hard to fancy now.

Ain’t That A Shame

Beaten a long way in 10th last year, he was bought by amateur rider David Maxwell after winning the Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January. Will give his owner/rider a thrill, but hard to see him lasting home.

Vanillier

Not the best jumper but ran a huge race to be second last year, and clearly primed for a repeat bid, finishing second in the Bobbyjo Chase in his final prep, as he did last year. Can go well if finding more fluency.

Mr Incredible

Talented but wayward, he was going okay when unseating at the Canal Turn last year, and runner-up in the Midlands National on his belated return. Could win, but simply knows too many ways to get beaten.

Latenightpass

Won 2022 Foxhunters’ over these fences and good fourth in that race last year. Back with Tom Ellis after good efforts in Cross-Country races for Dan Skelton and will be ridden by Ellis’s wife Gina Andrews. Headlines would write themselves were he to win, and it’s far from impossible.

Minella Crooner

Has run four times in fields of 10 or more in the last two years and his form figures read PPPP. I’m not sure this is the race for him.

Run Wild Fred

Runner-up in 2022 National Hunt Chase but his form has taken a nosedive since then, failing to complete on five of his last nine starts over fences, and no longer a safe conveyance.

Adamantly Chosen

Beat Roi Mage over an extended three and a quarter-miles at Down Royal last month but suspicion is that class rather than stamina won the day there, and he has looked best at up to two and a half in the past.

Chemical Energy

Second in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham 13 months ago but well beaten in Irish Grand National subsequently. Only seen once this season when behind Panda Boy in Kerry National at Listowel back in September.

Mac Tottie

Veteran whose nine wins have all come at short of three miles and include both the Grand Sefton and Topham over two miles, five furlongs here in 2021/’22 season. Latter race would have been a much more suitable option.

Limerick Lace

Took her form to a new level when beating Dinoblue in Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham last month. That win came at two and a half miles, although creditable second in three miles Troytown Chase earlier in the season offers hope that she might stay.

Meetingofthewaters

Beat Panda Boy in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December and jumped very well when a creditable third in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month. Progressive sort looks one to be interested in, with longer trip promising to suit.

Roi Mage

Ran a cracker when seventh last year, jumping superbly, and has won a listed race in France this term. No match for Adamant Approach at Down Royal last time but should have another good spin.

The Goffer

Doesn’t always look the stoutest stayer, albeit ran well in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last year; faded late after travelling well in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month and may be a similar story here.

Chambard

Sound jumper who stayed best when winning Becher Chase here in December. Has struggled since, however, and may get run off his feet in this company.

Glengouly

Sound-jumping front runner ran a career best when second to Ain’t That A Shame in the Thyestes over three miles and a furlong but too keen to last home in the two and a half miles Festival Plate at Cheltenham since and stamina a huge concern at marathon trips.

Galia Des Liteaux

Ran well when second in three miles, five furlongs Classic Chase at Warwick and latest run right-handed can be ignored. Jumps well, is lightly weighted and has a bit of class, so makes more appeal than most.

Panda Boy

Fifth in the 2023 Irish Grand National and placed in last two runnings of the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown; well weighted and has been trained for one day only by a man who knows what it takes to win this race.

Eklat De Rire

Smart novice chaser in 2020/’21 but seemingly hard to train since and recent efforts have been discouraging.

Chambard

Sound jumper who stayed best when winning Becher Chase here in December. Has struggled since, however, and may get run off his feet in this company.

Kitty’s Light

Only little, but as tough as teak, winning Scottish Grand National and Bet365 Gold Cup last spring. Very best form on good ground, but comes alive at this time of year so folly to ignore.