David Ord is backing last year's runner-up to go one better in Saturday's feature at Doncaster - check out a horse-by-horse guide to the 2019 Sky Bet Chase.
WARRIORS TALE: Went desperately close to winning this last season only to be cut down by Wakanda. Back to winning ways in Grand Sefton at Aintree last time but up six pounds for that and needs a career-best to win this from 153. It's not out of the question though in a race that should be run to suit.
ART MAURESQUE: Ground conditions will be ideal and takes a drop in class after contesting the Peterborough Chase last time but no more than feasibly handicapped, hasn’t won since October 2016 and his best form is at shorter trips.
O O SEVEN: Stayed on strongly to reel-in Go Conquer at the track last time and the choice of champion trainer Nicky Henderson from his original entries. However, he's struggled with handicap marks north of 150 in the past and he's back there after a five-pound hike for the last win.
GO CONQUER: Ran well at Ascot and here on two starts for his new trainer but was overhauled by a stronger stayer in O O Seven here last time having looked in control at the second last. That’s happened before and for all he'll give a good sight for much of the contest, the suspicion is something will be there to run him down after the last.
DINGO DOLLAR: Excellent third in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last month and heads here from the same mark. He's already won at this track and ticks nearly all the boxes with the only concerns being the ground, as Alan King stated earlier in the week, and his price. Very much the one to beat though.
WILLIE BOY: Impressive in winning at Wetherby on Boxing Day but was found a good opportunity by connections there. Has fallen the last twice his sights have been raised, in the Brown Advisory & Marriebelle Stable Plate in March and this season's BetVictor Gold Cup, plus this is his first try at three miles. Has to prove he stays for all he arrives here in good heart.
CALIPTO: Back to winning ways at Wincanton last time but that was a seven-runner affair and his tendency to make mistakes is always a worry in a race as competitive as this. Another to hold an entry at Cheltenham.
BRIAN BORANHA: Impressive at Sedgefield last time though that race fell apart for him (leader taking the wrong course). Will bounce off the ground but is now up to 139 in a much better race and it isn’t difficult to look elsewhere.
ON TOUR: Got going too late when a creditable third to Houblon Des Obeaux in Unibet Veterans’ Chase at Sandown and the worry here is it will all be happening too quick for him back down seven furlongs on a livelier surface.
MONBEG RIVER: Impressive 16-length winner here last season and encouraging return when second at Ayr in November, making a mistake at the last before finishing second to Forest Des Aigles. Not out of this and one of the livelier outsiders.
FEDERICI: Another front-runner who ran well for a long way when fifth to Walk In the Mill in the Becher Chase at Aintree on return. More needed here but ran well when fifth last year and not one to put a line through
VERDICT:
With original selection Singlefarmpayment now a non-runner - the vote goes to WARRIORS TALE. A six-pounds hike for his win the Grand Sefton doesn't make things easy but he went very close to winning this last season and arrives here in great heart. The plethora of front-runners means it might just be set up for him.
Dingo Dollar is a huge threat but hasn't been missed in the market and might just find this ground lively enough. Federici and Monbeg River could both go well at prices.