1 Bristol De Mai

Three-time Betfair Chase winner should be ideally suited to the course, and comes here fresh with just one run since November. As a bold-jumping grey he will be a popular pick and deserves his big weight.

2 Chris’s Dream

Troytown winner last season, and second to The Storyteller at Down Royal in November. Ran badly and made mistakes in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month though, and plenty to prove now.

3 Yala Enki

Fell at the first on his only start over these fences in the Becher, but normally a safe, if careful jumper, and stays all day. Might struggle to keep tabs on speedier types.

4 Ballyoptic

Runner-up in 2018 Scottish National, but high in the handicap on balance, and his best form has come in the mud.

5 Definitly Red

Won listed race at Kelso last season, but only fourth to Cloth Cap in the same race this time around, and worse off at the weights now. Best days behind him.

6 Lake View Lad

Won here in December, but missing fences played their part, and he lost all chance at the start in this race two years ago. Has had wind surgery after a disappointing run behind Cloth Cap at Kelso in February.

7 Burrows Saint

Won the 2019 Irish Grand National as a novice and hotly fancied for this before Covid intervened. Caught the eye back over fences last time, and looks trained to the minute for this.

8 Magic Of Light

Second to Tiger Roll in 2019 despite clouting a couple hard, and remains a useful chaser. Below form at Cheltenham, but should be happier back here, and not dismissed.

9 Acapella Bourgeois

Third to Burrows Saint in the 2019 Irish Grand National and beat that rival to land a second Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time, looking as good as ever. Got the right run style for this race, and could go well.

10 Talkischeap

Won 2019 Bet365 Gold Cup on only try beyond three miles, but lightly raced since, and well held in last two runnings of valuable Grade 3 handicap at Kempton. Would be Alan King’s finest hour if he got him back on track here.

11 Tout Est Permis

Failed to stay in 2019 Irish Grand National, and doesn’t seem to be the horse he was a couple of years ago. Can show up well for a way, but hard to see him figuring in the finish.

12 Anibale Fly

Behind Acapella Bourgeois and Burrows Saint at Fairyhouse on his return from absence, but he’s stayed on for minor money on last two runnings of this race, and clearly primed for another good run by his shrewd handler.

13 Mister Malarky

Won valuable three-mile Ascot handicap in December, and his grandam Dubacilla was placed in this race, as was her half-brother Just So, while their grandam was once last behind Red Rum!

14 Kimberlite Candy

Second in last two runnings of the Becher Chase here and has won the Classic Chase over 3m5f at Warwick. Stays all day and sure to give each-way backers a run for their money.

15 Any Second Now

Won the Kim Muir in 2019 and typical of trainer Ted Walsh that he won a two-mile Navan Grade 2 last month as his prep. Every chance of staying this trip, and has a similar profile to yard’s previous winner, Papillon.

16 Balko Des Flos

Looked a superstar when beating Un De Sceaux in the 2018 Ryanair, but has never won since, and failed to get round in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham last month. His 20,000 new owners remain hopeful, however.

17 Alpha Des Obeaux

Grand servant who is on the downgrade, but perked up by switch to Cross-Country when fourth to Tiger Roll last month. Fell in this in 2018, but was third in the Becher last season.

18 Ok Corral

Won 2020 SkyBet Chase at Doncaster under this rider, but has had problems since, and finished lame on his return from an absence at Cheltenham last month.

19 Takingrisks

Beat Cloth Cap when winning 2019 Scottish Grand National on quick ground, and again ignored in the market when landing SkyBet Chase at Doncaster in January. No youngster, but retains all his ability, so folly to ignore.

20 Shattered Love

Mixed bag since winning the Marsh (JLT) at Cheltenham in 2018, but ran well when third in Mares’ Chase there last month. Not sure she will love this, though.

21 Jett

Jumped round under today’s rider in the Becher in December, but his form has dipped worryingly this season. His win in the Virtual Irish Grand National last Easter is not worth much in the real world.

22 Lord Du Mesnil

Second in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last year and won Grand National Trial at Haydock last time. Needs the mud, and jumping was an issue when well held in the Becher here in December.

23 Potters Corner

Won the 2019 Midlands and Welsh Grand Nationals in heavy ground. Laid out for this, but ought to have done better over hurdles last time. Preparation perhaps not been as smooth as trainer would have liked.

24 Class Conti

Placed in Thyestes and Leinster National on last two starts, and respected on current form, but not sure to be as effective away from deep ground.

25 Milan Native

Won last year’s Kim Muir at Cheltenham and beat Discorama a nose on return at Galway. Disappointed at Cheltenham last month, but looked rusty there and may do better, for all he’ll have to jump better.

26 Discorama

Placed at three Cheltenham Festivals, including in four-mile NH Chase. Had a breathing operation after rare poor run at Cheltenham in November, and primed for this race since. Lay-off not ideal, but makes plenty of appeal otherwise.

27 Vieux Lion Rouge

Dual Becher winner, and although beaten four times in this race, he has jumped every fence in nine previous runs over these obstacles, and deserves a trophy for that alone.

28 Cloth Cap

Much improved in cheekpieces, making all in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and beating higher-rated rivals in listed race at Kelso. Well-handicapped, and only a tendency to jump left at times counts against him. Worthy favourite.

29 Cabaret Queen

2019 Munster National and 2020 Kerry National heroine. Not so good more recently, and this race will be her last before retiring to make little Cabaret Queens and Kings. Safe home, sweetheart.

30 Minellacelebration

Veteran who goes well on the Mildmay course, but not fared well in two tries over these fences in the Becher Chase, so probably safe to pass him over.

31 Canelo

Beat Snow Leopardess at Wetherby (3m) and good fourth to Takingrisks in SkyBet Chase. Didn’t seem to relish longer trip when placed in Grimthorpe at Doncaster last time, and stamina a concern here.

32 The Long Mile

Won at Limerick in December, and not disgraced behind Acapella Bourgeois and Burrows Saint in Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last time, showing he stays 3m1f. Unproven on quicker ground, however.

33 Give Me A Copper

Second after a break at Doncaster in December, but pulled up in SkyBet Chase, and a somewhat ponderous jumper, who doesn’t appeal as the type to enjoy this.

34 Farclas

Triumph Hurdle winner who has taken very well to fences, and placed in big-field handicaps at Leopardstown before second to The Shunter at Cheltenham. Stays an easy three miles, but stamina for this marathon taken on trust.

35 Minella Times

Unproven beyond three miles, but a fluent jumper who has run well to be second in handicaps at Leopardstown on his last two starts. Unexposed, and promises to stay further, so one of the likelier types.

36 Sub Lieutenant

Has run well to be fourth under Tabitha Worsley at Ascot the last twice, and good second to Cadmium in the 2019 Topham on only try over these fences. Trip an unknown, but seems a more thorough stayer these days than in his youth.

37 Hogan’s Height

Won 2019 Grand Sefton, and clearly likes these fences, but he’s been soundly beaten after an absence on his last two starts, and has plenty to prove.

38 Double Shuffle

Won over three miles at Kempton in January but ran poorly in this race in 2018, and won’t stay this far.

39 Ami Desbois

Back to form when second over three miles the last twice after lengthy absence, but not won since 2017. Hard to fancy.

40 Blaklion

Fourth in this in 2017 and won the Becher later that year. Regressive since, however, and passed over despite a more encouraging effort last time.

Verdict

Cloth Cap is favourite for the home team, but the main dangers are all trained in Ireland, with Discorama my long-term pick for the race, for all his price has shortened dramatically in the last week. Burrows Saint ticks all the right boxes and is feared most, while Minella Times has a most likeable profile even though he needs to prove his stamina. Sub Lieutenant is best of the big outsiders having finished second on his previous run over the fences.

1. DISCORAMA

2. Burrows Saint

3. Cloth Cap

4. Minella Times