Paddys Motorbike has won eight times on the Flat and over jumps and has won after a long break in the past. He's up 4lb for landing an Aintree handicap at this level in May but should be ready to do himself justice. Prince Escalus, who is also engaged at Cheltenham, was in good form over fences last winter and is 6lb lower back over hurdles but GO DANTE (NAP) has the scope to go on to better things. A winner on his debut in a Wincanton bumper and on his first start over hurdles, he was impeded at a crucial stage in the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury last December or would have finished closer. Franco D'Aunou has only won once but has rarely been beaten far.
Paddys Motorbike (IRE) 10-3fav (11-12) Made all, went clear after 5th, reduced lead after 4 out, good jump to assert last, stayed on gamely run-in, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May beating Captain Morgs (11-11) by 1l, 11 ran.
Stoner's Choice 15-2 (12-0) In rear, not fluent 4th, hampered jumping 6th, pushed along home turn, jumped right 3 out, stayed on and went 3rd after 2 out, never threatened, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Galore Desassences (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased leader until hit 4 out, chased leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, no chance when blundered badly 2 out, eased, 5th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Kauto The King (10-2) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Master Debonair 33-1 (10-9) Led 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon beaten, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Go Dante 11-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, never fluent, soon steadied rear, hampered 2 out, left remote 4th at the last, never on terms, 4th of 7, 13l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Franco D'Aunou (FR) 7-4jfav (11-9) Handy, hit 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, chased leader after 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Trelawne (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Gris Majeur (FR) 8-1 (11-13) In rear, hit 2nd, last and ridden entering home straight, soon beaten, last of 8, 13 1/2l behind Rewired (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Risk D'Argent (FR) 11-4fav (10-9) Led, headed before 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on from last, lost second final strides, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Homme Public (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Pyramid Place (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up off the pace in last pair, not fluent 3rd, plugged on turning in, went modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
