the prophet

The 5yo has 1 win from 7 over hurdles, placed three times and plenty of room for more improvement. He was beaten just a length in a decent 7 runner handicap three weeks ago, the rest were quite strung out. He was coming off a six month break that day and can be better for the run. The overnight rain should improve his chances. Good jockey booking for this conditional riders’ handicap - 10 winners since April for a nice 23% strike rate.

The 10yo returned from a nine month break three weeks ago and should be better for the run. A consistent type, win or placed in 8 of 13 chase races. He was beaten just 3L last Dec in a decent class 2 handicap and runs off the same mark in this contest with just 10-2 on his back. Question marks against a few of these rivals.

Just four runs under rules, last winter over hurdles, form 3232, showing ability. He’s returning from an eight month break and the trainer is happy to switch him to fences. The longer trip and jumping should be fine for this ex PTP winner. And he might prove to be much better than his opening handicap mark of 107.

Lightly raced and unexposed 8-year-old. He has 1 win from 1 over hurdles. His chase form reads 2211. Back from a seven-month break with a win over this 26f C/D three weeks ago in a useful novice chase. A 3lb higher mark for this similar novice chase, but his OR and RPR are easily the best on offer, and he should be a big player if there are no ill effects from his last race.

The 7yo mare has 4 wins from 11 over hurdles. Five runs for a new yard in her last campaign, a couple of solid efforts. The trainer should know her a little better this time around and an eight month break should see her ready to go. On a decent mark and any rain will be a positive for her, unlike quite a few of her rivals who prefer the quicker ground.

The favourite was a narrow winner of this Grade 2 chase last year but he did have six hard races in his last campaign and the 9yo is not getting any younger. The selection was progressive in his last campaign, winning 4 from 6. He was a Grade 1 novice winner at Sandown during Dec. Only beaten a length in the Grade 1 ‘Arkle’ Chase at the festival during March. Only a 7yo and he can have more to offer this time around.

You would expect top trainer Paul Nicholls to have some useful youngsters in his yard and his 5yo has to be respected in this £47K Grade 2 novice hurdle. Ex PTP winner and the fact that he’s happy to let him make his hurdle debut in this contest is positive. He ran a decent race in the Champion Bumper race at the festival during March and has ability.

Over two years since the 6yo ran over hurdles but he has improved plenty on the flat since and now rated 93. His handicap hurdle mark of 98 looks very attractive and he’ll have no problem with the rain that is coming.

Irish Raider. Lightly raced 6-year-old mare. She won a strong-looking Grade 3 hurdle race last December and has ability. Back from a five-month break when making her chase debut four weeks ago, no problem with the jumping and winning by 11 lengths. She’s rated to go well in this Grade 2 novice chase.

The lightly raced 7yo has every chance in this £91K handicap chase. He has 2 wins from 6 over fences and placed twice. Back from a six month break with a big run at this track three weeks ago, finishing a close 3rd of 18 in a quality £52K handicap. He should be a little sharper now and is only 2lb higher in the weights. Just two previous runs on soft ground, both were winning runs, and there is a lot of rain in the forecast.

A smart and consistent 7yo, first or second in 8 of his 12 hurdle runs. Back from a six month break last month and made his debut for the Skelton yard, finishing a close 3rd of 17 over this 24f C/D, in a decent class 2 handicap. Something to build on. He loves the very slow ground and every chance the going could turn heavy by Saturday.

The 5-year-old was a good NHF bumper winner last winter. He made a winning hurdle debut six weeks ago, winning that novice hurdle by 8 lengths, and the runner-up has earned himself a useful 119 rating since. He is the standout horse in this 9-runner 'introductory' hurdle.

The 5yo mare has 2 wins from 4 over hurdles. Trained by Nicky Henderson, she’s returning from a seven month break and you could expect improvement from her time off. She was a wide margin Listed hurdle winner on her second start and a decent 4th in a Grade 2 on her next start. Her opening handicap mark of 127 looks attractive and the going could be ideal for her come Saturday.

A consistent 8-year-old, won or placed in 10 of his 15 chase runs. Back from a six-month break with a close second two weeks ago, beaten by a useful 142-rated runner. Same mark for this handicap, he can take a step forward and has only one rival rated above 131. He went very close over this C/D at the start of the year.