View from trainers, horse-by-horse guide and Man On The Spot tip

What the trainers say:

Nicky Richards - Guitar Pete: "He's in grand form and we're looking forward to it. He ran a great race there last month and we think this track (New course) suits him a bit better. He's in really good fettle. We weighed him the other day and his weight is pretty much spot-on.

"I hope everyone gets a clean run round and may the best horse win. Our horse won't be far away, I promise you."

Gary Moore - Baron Alco & Casse Tete: "He seems in good form and the ground looks like it will be similar to last time. He's 6lb higher in the weights, so he's got to be 6lb better. Hopefully there's some improvement in him. Casse Tete will be a big price, but he's not a bad horse and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet."

Paul Nicholls - Frodon: "Bryony will ride again and he loves the course. He probably likes the New course more than he does the Old course. The Old course is a bit sharper and the New course puts a bit more emphasis on stamina - I just think that will suit him better. He is up another 3lb for the other day, but would that have stopped him running so well last time? He is in good form and we are hopefully of another good run."

Nicky Henderson - Rather Be & Casablanca Mix: "Everything has been great since Cheltenham. It didn't worry him. He was going very well at the time and he jumped like a bird the whole way and then he suddenly landed and it was carnage. He came straight back and schooled. We've schooled him in behind horses and he is as good as ever."

"Three miles was probably a bit far for Casablanca Mix at Market Rasen last time (finished second) and this is probably a better trip. Good ground is helpful to her."

Robert Walford - Mr Medic: "He's in good form and we'll give it a go. Softer ground wouldn't worry me - I wouldn't run on heavy, but he's a stronger horse now. He's seven going on eight and is lightly raced. Whether Ascot is as good as he is, we'll have to wait and see."

Horse-by-horse guide:

By David Ord

FRODON: Tough, genuine and a credit to connections, he produced a career-best to chase home Baron Alco under top weight in the BetVictor Gold Cup. He’s three pounds better off for a two lengths beating with that rival but his own mark continues to creep up and he’s vulnerable to potential improvers down below.

BARON ALCO: May have had the run of the race last time but hard to fault his effort, racing and jumping with enthusiasm and finding plenty from the last. He’s sure to give another good account despite a six-pound hike.

RATHER BE: Runner-up in the Close Brothers at the Festival and tanking along when brought down four out in the BetVictor. Clearly there was still a long way to go but he appeals as a progressive and well handicapped young chaser from the champion trainer’s yard. Clearly a fair few boxes ticked but already short enough in the market.

WAR SOUND: Impressive reappearance win at Aintree confirmed all of last season's promise, when he proved frustratingly hard to win with. Clearly respected but the handicapper didn’t miss him post-Liverpool, and ten pounds more in a warmer race might mean he’s up against it.

COBRA DE MAI: Somehow finished fourth at Ascot last time having looked laboured and almost tailing off at one stage and won previous start at Stratford. In very good hands but will need a slicker round of jumping to stay in touch with these.

MR MEDIC: Off for 11 months before winning at Ascot last time where he characteristically travelled and fenced well. Needs to back that up and more from a nine pounds higher mark in this better race.

CEPAGE: Useful performer who picked up a valuable pot at Kempton in March and ran well here on his final start of last campaign. Fitness has to be taken on trust for his reappearance here though and a tendency to make mistakes is always a worry in this company.

CASABLANCA MIX: Stablemate of Rather Be and talented performer in her own right but unproven in this big-field handicap scenario and while she didn’t stay the extended three miles at Market Rasen last time, she is five pounds higher than when beaten by Copain De Classe on her Kempton reappearance.

FULL GLASS: Plenty of promise in only two starts in Britain, third in a warm Ayr handicap in the spring and unseating four out when running well in a graduation chase at Haydock. Held in high regard and looks handicapped to go very close if he gets his ground – and heavy rain is forecast to hit before racing on Friday. If it does he shoots up the shortlist on the pick of his form in France.

CATAMARAN DU SEUIL: Impressive at Wetherby on his return and warrants a crack at a race of this nature but fell at the sixth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree last week which is hardly the ideal preparation.

SPLASH OF GINGE: Another one that’s hard to predict although far more bad days than good ones since winning last year’s BetVictor, including when pulling up in this season’s renewal.

CASSE TETE: Represents the Baron Alco team and feasibly handicapped, five pounds higher than when winning well at Warwick last season, but unseated at Ascot last time and his overall profile isn’t convincing.

ROMAIN DE SENAM: Unseated at the first in the BetVictor and while ten pounds better off with War Sound for their run at Aintree, he has 25 lengths to make up. Trained by Paul Nicholls which is the main thing he has going for him.

FOXTAIL HILL: Well backed to take advantage of a plummeting handicap mark and win the race at the November meeting he landed in 2017 – but had to settle for third behind Modus. It was a fair return but not one he’s guaranteed to progress from.

GUITAR PETE: Last year's winner who got going too late when creditable third behind Baron Alco at the last meeting. A pound out of the handicap if Frodon runs but should be on the premises again.

VERDICT:

It's easy to make a case for Rather Be but he's already 10/3 and Baron Alco and Frodon must be considered after their BetVictor heroics. Last year's winner Guitar Pete will also be on the premises but FULL GLASS remains completely unexposed in this country. His run at Ayr last season suggests he's on a mark he can win a good pot from, and if the forecast rain arrives Friday night and through race day, then his chance increases.

Man On The Spot verdict:

Baron Alco beat Frodon and Guitar Pete, the last two winners of this, in the BetVictor Gold Cup on the Old Course here last month. The top one in the handicap is arguably the pick of the weights among that trio today and looks sure to give Bryony Frost, already a winner twice on the six-year-old, a good ride. Rather Be was heavily supported in the BetVictor and still travelling well when brought down at the fourth-last. He’s been backed again to gain compensation but is no value at the current odds. It took War Sound nine attempts to get off the mark over fences but he’s still well treated on the pick of his hurdles form. Any rain would hamper the chances of MR MEDIC but Robert Walford’s much-improved chaser has every chance of another victory here if the ground remains good. Trainer and jockey teamed up to land last week’s Becher Chase and the seven-year-old was impressive on his reappearance at Ascot when Cobra De Mai was a well-beaten fourth. Full Glass may need to brush up his jumping to be competitive over these fences but Cepage goes well fresh and is worth a second look.