JoeSmith16

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.

It's impossible to not love this mare! She's talented, game, and ultra-consistent. While she doesn't have the greatest record against the boys, this time she gets perfect ground, and some of the opposition have massive questions to answer. While it might not be straightforward for her, she can take this prize before stepping back to mares' company in time.

Will he, won't he? The writing will be on the wall very early with this lad. If he is on the front end, he will take some stopping like earlier this year when he made all at Windsor. If he doesn't front run, there may be bigger targets ahead. He will handle the ground and is rated better than these. Interesting he had bigger targets like the Betfair and the Coral, but instead comes here.

It's worth keeping the faith in Queensbury Boy. He wasn't seen at his most effective when 4th in the Persian War at Chepstow. Well-backed 5/4 fave that day. He has since moved yards and owners. They are wasting no time, sending him chasing. We know the yard loves chasers. With the run under his belt, if he has settled into new surroundings, I see no reason why he can't go very close today.

A yard going places. This lad will really enjoy the ground today. 2nd in the Welsh National. It wasn't soft enough for him when last seen in the Grand National trial at Haydock. He's quite lightly raced, so I expect there is more to come. Should relish this test. Good each-way selection.

A very exciting recruit to the novice chase ranks. A fine example of what he did over hurdles, a bonus. Always a chaser! He finished his hurdling days with a fine 3rd in the Albert Bartlett. Proving he is a Grade One horse. I expect him to take top rank among the top 3-mile chasers in time. This is an ideal starting point, so he should win before the next step awaits.

Of course, the jockey booking of Sean Bowen is an eye-catcher, but look further than that and you can see why he's the favourite. His record fresh is superb. He started last season nicely, which was enough for him to run in the Grade One Novice on Boxing Day. Unfortunately, he unseated. His season never recovered from that point. I still stand by him being a graded level horse. The trip is ideal for him today. He's normally a steady jumper. Should go really well.