Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

Promising hurdler for Paul Nicholls, later sold on for £14,000 after two comprehensive failures over fences; however, he's looked good in winning two slow-ground points for Sam Curling and his profile isn't entirely dissimilar to that which his stablemate Wonderwall brought prior to winning this last year; he gives his yard a useful second string to their bow.

Won here at last May's hunter chase meeting but that was 2m; his 3m point wins came chiefly in small-field affairs and he was left clear late on when successful over that trip at Ludlow on latest start, and the time was ordinary; could run well for a long way but ultimately prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

Ran well for a 100-1 shot in this last year (sixth), doing best work late on; that was also the case when only 6l off Its On The Line at Down Royal over Christmas and, like last year, he arrives here after winning a point; cheekpieces offered nothing when tried once before (hurdles); place squeak.

Won a novice chase here in October 2022 and later that season was second in the National Hunt Chase at this fixture; on a losing run of 14 under rules but he's contested plenty of strong handicaps in that time and back-to-back point wins in the autumn may give him some renewed belief; has soft-ground form but his trainer has always believed that good ground is ideal, so watch the weather; well held in a Galway Plate when previously tried in this headgear combination.

An up-and-coming 9yo with so few runs on the board; 2-4 in points and suffered his first defeat in hunter chases when a rallying third behind Its On The Line and Willitgoahead at Down Royal during the Christmas period; he was favourite that day; this greater emphasis on stamina promises to play to his strengths; good chance in first-time cheekpieces.