John Ayres Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Bold-jumping front runner who landed the Desert Orchid at Kempton for the second year running in December but no form otherwise last season, and disappointed when last seen in Kempton handicap in May.

Won last season's Paddy Power at Cheltenham and bagged another big middle-distance handicap at that track earlier this year. Matched best form when second in Oaksey Chase (22.8f) at Sandown on final start of campaign and is not taken lightly on return.

Won twice over C&D in spring of 2023 and made a winning return in Old Roan Chase at Aintree this time last year. Back to best when fourth in big-field handicap at Punchestown (20.4f) in May and must be taken seriously first time up here.

Ended a near 2-year losing run when scoring at Kempton (24f) in January and took his form up a notch when an excellent runner-up there (20.5f) in March. However, looks on a stiff mark and appears to be the yard's second string based on jockey bookings.

Multiple winner over hurdles who found improvement switched to the larger obstacles last term, scoring 3 times. Can go well fresh and reappears just 1 lb above his last winning mark so warrants respect.

Likeable sort who made the frame in a trio of competitive Cheltenham handicaps on his first 3 outings last season. Not in same form thereafter but has had a wind operation since his last start and looks nicely treated on his return to the track.

Won twice (including at this course) in 2022/23 and acquitted himself well in defeat early last season, looking the likely winner when coming down late on at Ascot in November. Form tailed off in latter part of campaign but no surprise to see him play a part first time up here. Had wind operation.

Low-mileage 8-y-o who made a winning return/handicap chase debut over C&D 12 months ago. Failed to add to that success in 4 subsequent outings but has likely been aimed at this by his shrewd yard and must enter calculations.

Four-time winner over fences who produced somewhere near her best form when second of 5 in handicap chase (9/1) at Stratford (19.4f, good) 46 days ago. This looks tougher, though, and others are more appealing.

Resumed his progress, after 6 months off, with a wide-margin success at Wetherby (19.4f) in November. Couldn't really build on that, however, and reappears 7 lb above his last winning mark.