johnqclark

If Myretown is able to run up to his winning form in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March, he should be capable of winning this. He didn't shine at Newbury in November, eventually falling, so there is a niggle that he might not hit the heights expected of him. Nonetheless, he did look quite special at Cheltenham, and this looks like a good opportunity for him to get back to winning ways.

In d'Or had some decent form last season, including winning this race when owned and ridden by David Maxwell. He's rated nine pounds higher now than when he won last year, but that doesn't seem particularly harsh, especially with Jonathan Burke on board. He had a nice seasonal debut at Sandown last time and should be spot on for this challenge.

The Russell/Scudamore yard haven't quite hit their normal highs this season, so it's worth being a little wary of their runners until it becomes clear they are back firing on all cylinders. If they are on the way back, I think Caballo de Guerra could be very well treated in this handicap. He looked quite impressive when winning a Kelso novice earlier in the season, and wasn't disgraced when upped in class after that at Cheltenham.

Court Compliance has finished second the last twice in maidens and looks sure to be winning sooner rather than later. This step back up to two miles six, on soft ground on this stiffish track, looks just what the doctor ordered.

Storm Star seems to like Newcastle and looks to be being primed to win the All-Weather Mile Championship back here at Easter. He had a nice pipe opener recently and should be spot on to take this trial for the big one.

It's hard to fully understand how well Analitheia performed when winning on her bumper debut at Exeter, as that race was run in a pea souper. She appeared to finish with plenty in hand. It's noticeable that she has been held back for this better-class race. Nicky Martin is a very underrated trainer who has a decent strike rate.

Bill Baxter ran a good race to a point in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time, running out of gas in the final quarter mile. Back down in trip in a less competitive-looking race might well be the route back to the winner's enclosure for him.

Alpine Sierra isn't the most reliable, but has more than enough ability to win this amateur riders' race. Jim Gildie has booked probably the best amateur currently riding, which surely will help.

I think Captain Butler may well be a cut above the opposition here. He is still very lightly raced, and has shown enough over hurdles to suggest he can rate higher over fences. He ran an odd sort of race at Aintree last time, not jumping perfectly but getting an odd sort of ride from Craig Nichol, who knows him well. He was quite edgy in the paddock that day, requiring two handlers to keep him in check. Ruth Jefferson can usually be relied upon to get the best from her horses and should have him in a better place for this weaker-looking race.

City of Diamonds made a very favourable impression when winning here on seasonal debut. That was a lower-grade race, but he looks like one with lots of improvement to come. The McCain yard has been going very well lately and can keep up that good run here.

This is a decent handicap with one or two who have the potential to go higher up the ladder. Jet To Vegas has finished second on both chase starts to date, and the experience should have stood him in good stead for this. His hurdle form suggests he has a touch of class, and I think he will go close.

The two Mullins raiders provided a great race in the John Durkan recently and are chasers out of the top drawer. They may well be bang there again in the King George. However, I think Djelo is set to run a big race. He won the Charlie Hall first time out this season and then followed up in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Whilst he will need more to win this, he is definitely a chaser on the up. He is best going right-handed, so that Wetherby win is all the more meritorious. Venetia Williams has won this prize before and knows exactly what she has in Djelo. Whatever happens, he is overpriced at the current odds.

Alexei looks like a star in the making given the manner in which he won the Gretawood last time. To win a race like that the way he did stamps him out as a hurdler who could go right to the top. He needs to be as good, if not better, here, but I think he can shrug off the hike the handicapper has straddled him with. A star in the making, I think.

Pic Roc could be another big winner for the all-conquering Ben Pauling stable. He won a Beginner's Chase at Huntingdon two runs back in fine style, and then was quite well backed for the Coral Cup at Newbury. He lost all chance at the start that day, but still ran on well to finish fifth. He's clearly a smart young chaser with a future, and looks well worth an interest in this valuable handicap.

Harry Dereham's smart mare, Jackie Hobbs, could easily be the one to be with in this valuable Mares' Novice. She does need to jump a little better than she did at Newbury, but that seems quite likely. The form of that Newbury race is working out well, and the form of the others looks a notch below that of Jackie Hobbs.

Gordon Elliott has a very strong hand in the staying hurdling department, and it's interesting that he sends the promising young stayer Honesty Policy for this good race. This is his seasonal debut, so fitness has to be taken on trust. He looked the real deal at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring, and improvement looks assured.

In a wide-open renewal of the Tommy Whittle I'm siding with Jack Parrot, who I've liked since seeing him on his British debut at Carlisle. He's been steadily progressive, and at only six should have yet more to come. He seems to need a run to get him straight, so his hurdle run at Bangor recently should have him cherry ripe for this.

Bad ran a decent race in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham last time. That was after a very impressive win at Kempton, a track where he has a very good record. Generally, he seems better going right-handed, so I think that, given his most recent performances, he may well be at the peak of his powers. The yard continues in great form, which adds to my confidence.

I'm prepared to take a chance with Lemoncello, despite him having to carry a big weight. He was a chase winner in France as a four-year-old, and didn't perform too badly over hurdles in his debut season in this country. His future is surely over the bigger obstacles, and he can win at this level before progressing to something better.

With Venetia Williams back in much better form, this looks a great opportunity for Hunter Legend to get his head back in front. He was only beaten around eight lengths in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, and that trip is on the short side for him. This is a marked drop in class and sees him on a two-pound lower mark than that Cheltenham race.

At the price, Rory is worth a small each-way bet. He's notoriously inconsistent but does possess some ability, which he has shown on occasion in the last few months. This is undoubtedly his best trip. He's got a good draw, and Lauren Young claims five pounds. If he were to magically run to his best, he would win, but we can't rely on that.