Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 4m 59.72s

Edwardstone³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 164| C

5/2

Likeable sort who won the Arkle at the 2022 Festival and showed top-class form when a commanding winner of the Tingle Creek on last season's reappearance. Unable to live with Jonbon on both outings this term but stacks to like now heading up to 2½m for the first time over fences.

Form: 1U25-22

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Janidil^t1⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 161| D

12/1

High-class chaser on his day who shaped as if better for the run when 9 lengths second of 3 to Allaho in Clonmel Oil Chase (20.4f, heavy, 3/1) in November. A little disconcerting that a first-time tongue tie goes on and others look stronger.

Form: FP/17F-2

Pic D'Orhy^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162| CD

5/2

Only defeat in an excellent 2022/23 campaign came when unable to live with Shishkin at Ascot in February. Rounded off the season with a first Grade 1 success at Aintree and made a winning return despite looking a shade rusty in 1965 Chase at Ascot in November. Should make a bold title defence.

Form: 11121-1

Banbridge²⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 155| D

3/1

Won 4 times over hurdles in 2021/22 and quickly made up into an even better chaser last season, winning Grade 2 at Cheltenham before rounding off his campaign with a Grade 1 success at Aintree. Spring probably his time of year but respected stepping into open company for the first time nonetheless.

Form: 0/11321-

Notlongtillmay⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: L Morgan| OR: 156| D

4/1

Immediate improvement switched to fences last season, winning novice handicaps on first 3 starts before an excellent 3¼ lengths second to Stage Star in the Golden Miller. Stepped up on comeback when finding that rival too strong again at Cheltenham 8 weeks ago but likely to come up short.

Form: 1112-42

Forecasts

Pic D'Orhy (5/2), Edwardstone (5/2), Banbridge (3/1), Notlongtillmay (4/1), Janidil (12/1)

With no Jonbon to be concerned about this can go the way of EDWARDSTONE, who hasn't tasted success for a while, but makes plenty of appeal stepping up to 2½m for the first time over fences. Pic d'Orhy was a facile winner of this contest 12 months ago and, arriving on the back of a winning reappearance, he can give the selection most to think about, with Banbridge rounding off the shortlist having a first start in open company.