Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals of this race and his
Capitaine is highly respected as the stable's chosen contender to chase the hat-trick of wins. Nicholls' charge does have his share of weight and needs to prove his stamina but will find this a lot easier than the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. However,
SUSSEX RANGER edges the verdict as he doesn't have too much to find and his latest effort (in a better race than this at Sandown) reads well on face value.
Cotswold Way is another progressive type that cannot confidently be ruled out. He edges stablemate
At It's Own Expense out the frame as the best of the rest.
- Sussex Ranger
- Capitaine
- Cotswold Way