apollo14

Clearly never loads to go on except vibes and market signals, but strictly on what is on record in terms of performances: LOVE SIGN D'AUNOU made a significant impression in his sole bumper win at Naas. He wasn't off the bridle to win by a distance in a relatively slowly run affair, so he has gears. Also, being a point winner bred for jumping, he should have the requisite stamina should this be a strongly run affair. Should be strongly involved.

A typically competitive renewal, but one that stands out as dangerous at the weights is INTHEPOCKET. A horse that wasn't far behind in the Supreme Novice Hurdle three years ago. He has been lightly campaigned since then but has shown in his last two chase runs that the ability is still there. Interestingly, the last time he encountered ground described as good in the going, he won a Grade 1 at Aintree. So, having caught the eye before fading a couple of times this winter, he could be ready now to strike.

Majborough will take the beating if he reproduces the form of his last run, where he took apart a very good field. However, I have just slight reservations at the price about his jumping and propensity to find trouble in running, so I just swerve him in favour of L'Eau de Sud, who has an excellent record at Cheltenham. He also put in some performance on his reappearance in the Shloer Chase over C&D to leave both Jonbon and Matata for dead. He was beaten last time in the Tingle Creek, but it is hard to imagine that was his true running. Back after a break, I feel he will be primed to give his best again.

Vanillier is a grand old horse and a former winner of the Albert Bartlett here. After a chequered couple of years, flecked with a couple of massive runs (including a 2nd in the Grand National), he seems to have found his niche in this discipline. He surely would have won last year: after losing around 20 lengths nearly taking the course, he managed to finish around 5 lengths behind in 4th. He has warmed up for this with a good win at Punchestown and carries a very reasonable weight.

A decent field for this thanks to novices being now ineligible for the handicaps and we have a formidable challenge from Ireland here. However it is one fa e they haven't dominated and I quite like the chances of WENDIGO who has looked a proper stayer in his chase runs so far this season. The third in the Kauto Star over Christmas was also quite eye-catching as he looked out paced at a crucial stage before finishing well for third. Winners of that race have a poor record here though and he has been kept fresh since then.

Gordon Elliott didn't have the best day yesterday but has some strong chances today, and BALLYFAD is one of them. He is the choice of Jack Kennedy here and brings some of the strongest Irish form on offer to the table. He looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip, and the ground is no problem, so he appears decent value despite a mild concern that he jumped right at times at Leopardstown.