If Cruise Leader is fit enough then he can beat Multeen River and Ardent Scout, with Glenfarclas Boy further down the weights worth a mention. Cruise Leader was once a potentially smart hurdler for Henrietta Knight but disappeared from the scene for a couple of years. On his return at Kelso last December, the son of Supreme Leader was going well when unseating Richie McGrath at the eighth fence but then quickly made amends with back-to-back wins at Wetherby. He goes well fresh and could make his mark in decent chases this term if kept sound by Chris Grant. He gets weight from Multeen River and that should offset the fact that Jonjo O'Neill's charge has already been out and won a race. At Uttoxeter where he took advantage of the departures of two of his main rivals. He too goes well fresh but his form tends to tail off after a couple of races, and in addition, his wins over fences have all been on fast ground. Ardent Scout, seventh in the Grand National, will no doubt be aimed at Aintree again before being put out to pasture, and can be considered for place purposes, while Glenfarclas Boy has fitness on his side and may also make a bold bid for the frame. Preference though is for Cruise Leader.
