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Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 24.40s

Theflyingportrait^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 132| CD

8/1

Built up quite a reputation when winning six handicaps in 2016 and although he's not been as prolific since off higher marks he looks to be coming back to the boil. Didn't quite get the run of the race last time but dangerous if he grabs the lead.

Form: 390-742

Chirico Vallis^h,t¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 131| D

20/1

Won two-field novice chases last season (only beat four rivals in total) and was long odds-on both times. Fell on his first two starts in handicaps and disappointed in the other he returns from a long absence with a slight question mark against him.

Form: 3/1F1F2-

Wells De Lune^t²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 129| CD

4/6

Hunter chase winner (had some tough tasks in that sphere) but looks rejuvenated over hurdles especially over this trip here. Completed a C&D hat-trick on Saturday blitzing a field from the front off this mark; well handicapped back over fences.

Form: P24111

Applesandpierres^v²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 129| CD

7/1

Shown some decent form over hurdles but hasn't looked quite as convincing over fences with his jumping not that fluent here or at Newton Abbot last time. Now into handicaps over fences but looks to still be on a tough mark and needs decent ground.

Form: 9-21623

Ifandbutwhynot^t⁴⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 127| D

12/1

Found rather more than usual at the business end of the race when winning at Uttoxeter last time (2m, good); took advantage of a reduced mark. Well-ridden by today's rider there but no banker to follow-up off a 5lb higher mark.

Form: 24-2531

Lough Kent^v²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 116| CD

10/1

Looked to go much better for a senior rider here on Saturday over hurdles (visor on first-time) but still beaten 13L by Wells De Lune (no chance with winner). Both now return to fences with the weights still favouring victor from last time.

Form: 10-8572

Dark Invader^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 108| BF| D

8/1

Managing to progress over fences (won twice) despite a less than perfect jumping technique failing to complete his hat-trick last time at Bangor (favourite). These fences can provide quite a test and he'll need to be at his best here to bounce back.

Form: 4-62115

Forecasts

Wells De Lune (4/6), Applesandpierres (7/1), Theflyingportrait (8/1), Dark Invader (8/1), Lough Kent (10/1), Ifandbutwhynot (12/1), Chirico Vallis (20/1)

A fascinating tactical battle with Wells De Lune appearing to be rejuvenated by hurdles and a tongue-tie returning to fences after blitzing his rivals from the front on three separate occasions around here the latest demolition coming in Saturday; he runs off the same mark here. THEFLYINGPORTRAIT also likes to go forward and has C&D form to his name and he ran well last time at Stratford (looked on the way back) when presented with a race with plenty of pace also. He sat just off it there and similar tactics could pay dividends today. Both Dark Invader and Applesandpierres will have their jumping tested here while Ifbutandwhynot will need to improve again off a 5lb higher mark.