Rees Jones,1619 Open Hunters' Chase

Has won on his last 3 goes in Ludlow hunters, battling well last month. Found living with a sharp rival 3 years his junior more than he could handle at Kempton 3 weeks ago and respected back up in trip here.

Useful chaser who landed a pair of hunters last spring but made it 2 non-completions from as many starts this time around, quickly fading in the Foxhunters' at Aintree 3 weeks ago. Needs a revival, but big chance if he can bounce back.

Won a Southwell hunter in 2024 and stuck to his task really well when second having made a bad mistake at Taunton in February. Struggled in the Cheltenham Festival Hunter last month and this is easier.

Won the 2022 Becher Chase for Dan Skelton but showed nothing in 4 runs last season and fair bit to prove starting out for new yard. Interesting to see market support.

Won Haydock handicap chase 2 years ago and gone as though all his ability remains intact in his 2 completed starts this term, not seen to best effect at Southwell 7 weeks ago (caught in a poor position, though reportedly treated for post-race heat stress). Big player on hunter debut if all is well.

No show in hunters the last twice and seems to have been in gradual decline since his second at Cheltenham (25f amateur handicap chase he won in 2022) in October.