Chalker Wells

Has raced on good to soft three times, winning two of them. She won here last July on the same mark as today and over the same distance. It does seem 6 furlongs is her trip. She'll also have the advantage of draw bias in this sprint. Rhys Elliott rides her for the first time and claims a useful 7lb. He has had 9 races in public so far. Of his last three rides he has been placed twice on relative outsiders. See My Baby Jive is likely to produce his first winner, she'll surely be placed at least at a value price.

Much improved since turning to a mile. 5 races at this distance so far, winning one and placing second in the other four. Upped 1lb since last time, but this should be of no consequence. Was placed on his only run on good to soft going, but in fairness that wasn't over his ideal trip. Forecast favourite for this race today and I can see why, it really is difficult to see him not winning today and at a decent price.

Forget his last race, the stable were under a cloud at the Festival. Nicky Henderson is back though, a 22% strike rate in the last 2 weeks! Hyland has always been in the first three on good ground, consisting of seven races, winning two of them. He has raced at Warwick three times before, second once and winning the other two. This grey has been there or thereabouts over similar distances so with everything seemingly in his favour today I'm expecting a victory.

Won this race last year on 6lb lower. He's run at Hexham 4 times before and has always been in the first 2. He has run on the heavy going 5 times before and has always been in the first three on completions. His mark has been steadily coming down all year and looking at this field it looks perfect for him to pull off a victory at a decent price today.

This may well be his most suitable distance and what's more he gets the good ground he generally acts upon. Down 4lb from last time which will be a major help, he's also down in class. Although he's been runner-up in hurdles 3 times he's generally been many lengths away from the winner, but everything looks in his favour today. Paul Nicholls will be trying to make every runner a winner this week as he starts his final defence to keep his Champion Trainers crown.

Of his five chases he has won one and that was over today's distance. The victory was at Musselburgh, and he did it by 21 lengths, hence going up a stone. With 10-3 today I do not perceive this to be an issue. Only four 7 years olds have won this century, however, we must remember dual winners Androma and Vicente both won their first at 7. He has never been out of the first four places in soft going. Was expected to run well in the Midlands National but pulled out as the going was against him. Last Saturday Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox had a nightmare Grand National, I expect this combination to make amends today by winning the Scottish version.

Up 2lbs after winning at Wincanton last time. He has won 2 of his 6 chases the majority of which were over a similar distance as today. In three of his other chases he has finished second. He has never been in a chase at Plumpton before, however, his form figures over hurdles there read 6-1-3-F. Bearing in mind I feel he's shaping up to be a much better chaser than hurdler I'm sure Plumpton chasing will suit him, and he'll win there today.

His Gold Cup ended at the same place Rhyme 'n' Reason's did 36 years ago! He absolutely pulverized them in the Welsh National, making Carvill's Hill's winning distance look microscopic. He is going to love the ground, even better had it remained heavy, and a flat galloping track seems to suit him more than an undulating one. Although he's shot up the ratings there's a reason, he's excellent. 7-year-olds are coming back into fashion in the National so don't let his age put you off. Caoilin Quinn is having his best season so far from his short career; he seems like a natural jockey at the early part of a huge career. He also has an affinity for winning Nationals having won the Sussex National too this season. Since World War II three horses have won the Welsh and Grand National in the same season, I expect Nassalam to be the fourth.

He has raced 4 times on the heavy, winning two and in the top three in the other two. He has a 25% strike rate in chases and today's distance and going will suit. His last race was far from ideal under a big weight, but he has now been dropped a further 2lbs giving him a great racing weight for today. Sam Twiston-Davies is just 4 winners short of a seasonal century. At the prices Good Boy Bobby is an each-way must.

He has won 10/15 chases including this last year. He refused to race first time out this season, just an unexplained blip it appears, and then unseated when bang there in the King George. Furthermore, he has low mileage this season and missing Cheltenham may today prove a blessing in disguise. He has won 6/9 times on the soft and today once again gets his preferred ground on a most suitable flat galloping track. Only 5 horses have managed to win the Betfair Bowl twice, Wayward Lad-Docklands Express-First Gold-Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux, and I expect Shishkin to make amends for the unluckiest of seasons and join this select band today.

Has been runner-up in his last two races. These were over the same distance and class as today, and he runs off the same mark. They were also the only two handicaps he has run in so far. The going should be in his favour, and I would be surprised if he doesn't at least place today.

Has had her two best hurdle races on the soft. Last time was at today's course and distance when she finished second. This was in the same class as today for which she remains on the same mark. It seems it's only a matter of time until she wins her first hurdle race. Isabel Williams needs 13 more wins to lose her claim and after this race she'll only require another twelve.

Hasn't been at his best this season, however, the elements seem spot on for him today. Wincanton is clearly his favourite course having raced here 4 times and always finishing in the top 4. The heavy going plays to his skills as he has raced on it five times before, winning twice and third three times. He hasn't raced 3 miles 1 furlong for over a year now, clearly his best distance, and has always been in the top 3 with the exception of one pulled up. He has been slowly falling down the ratings and is now on a very comfortable mark. Jockey Micheal Nolan is having his best ever season, however, he hasn't had a winner for a while, Golden Sovereign will put that right for him today.

Has been steadily coming down the ratings, but I don't believe this 11-year-old is spent. Pulled up in 2 of his last 3 races, last time unlucky as hampered and the other time was in the Welsh National where many a good horse did the same thing. Having raced on heavy ground twice before he did actually win one of those two races. Over a furlong less in distance than today he has finished 9th and 3rd. Jockey Charlie Deutsch needs just 6 more winners for his best ever season, and with Didero Vallis having such a light weight, I think after this race he will only need 5 more winners to break his own record.