JoeSmith16

Can look fairly awkward, but this talented 4-year-old is slowly learning his trade. Thrust into the U.K. scene on debut last season in a Triumph trial. Came second to East India Dock. Never featured at the Festival in the Boodles. Chase debut in an Arkle trial last month. He was backed but didn't look like winning. Outpaced and looked awkward. I'm excited to see him run at Cheltenham, especially at Ascot. I really think we will see a better version, which will make him tough to beat.

This lad looks to be a horse on the up. He could potentially be a graded-level chaser. Still only a 6-year-old, he has plenty of scope for improvement. He missed the Paddy Power Down to Ground but gets his conditions here today. The two worries are that it's his first run while others are race-fit. The other is he can belt the odd fence; he won't get the opportunity to recover much in a race like this. Saying all that, he's the class angle in his race off a mark for improvement while others have hit their mark.

The grand old stable legend. Always runs his race without winning, but signs are there that it's around the corner. Ran a brilliant race on season debut. Trip was sharp but, as predicted, he stayed on past tired horses to finish second. Back over a more suitable trip tomorrow, over the cross country, which he enjoys. Yard is going well; it's not the strongest of Banks's races either. He should go very close tomorrow. It would be a very emotional victory for everyone connected.

3-4 at the course. Only defeat came in the Eider. Did he get home over 4 miles? Possibly not. More comfortable over this trip. Last seen in April at Aintree when winning a very good handicap. I really like his chances in this. He goes on any surface. His record fresh is patchy, but if fully fit, he should take some stopping.

This race would have been the long-term target. He finished last season on a high, winning the Bet365. Those cheekpieces he wore that day are back on. He started this season by winning the Colin Parker. He wasn't fully fit for that either, and it was probably shy of his best trip. Trainer and jockey are confident. He simply cannot be left out of calculations. Panic Attack, Victorino and Hyland to chase him home.

Not a lot we don't know about this absolute superstar. Last season was a disaster. Is he over those nightmares? I think so, yes. He is trained by a genius who would have taken his time and nursed him back. Vibes are good. Are the opposition his level? Possibly, but possibly not. I think it's the latter. He goes well fresh and will be plenty fit. Yard flying again. The king is back!

While I think Telepathique may be tough to beat, Filanderer might be the one to give her most to think about. A dangerous front-runner who can really jump! He's on a bit of a roll, 4/4. Of course the run will stop soon, but he's showing signs he's progressive. A fantastic each-way selection.

Fences beckon once again. It was a disaster last season at Sandown. However, all was not lost, and he had quite the campaign back over hurdles. Proving himself to be a brilliant 3-miler after initially being touted as a 2-miler. He's a massive player in the novice chase ranks if he can take to chasing. Trip a tad sharp for him here, but he still should have enough ability to cope with these.

While Grey Dawning will be tough to beat, it feels like Haiti Couleurs is a horse improving nicely and looks to be at the peak of his game to win a race of this nature. We know he has stamina in abundance and will enjoy the rain that arrives at Haydock. He's race fit from a spin over hurdles that was only a prep; however, he still won. My only worry will be Haydock; it can catch certain horses out, especially those who need big galloping tracks. If he can travel and jump and be in touch with the leaders in the turn for home, I don't think there will be a horse who's pushing for the finish harder than this lad.

I love this lad, Mr. Consistent. He has some really strong form to his name despite being only 3/9 as a hurdler. While the majority of his career he has spent at 2 miles, for his season debut he was tried at 2 miles 4. He stayed on strongly behind the smart French Ship. It's a big jump to 3 miles on what could be quite testing, but I have the feeling we might now see the best of him over further. This is a big pot to win, so it's strange to assume that connections are treating this like a stab in the dark trip-wise. I will say that they are pretty sure he will stay. He's on a lovely mark, and if the trip ekes out more improvement on a horse that travels and jumps, he's a massive price.