An excellent hunter chase and one in which Hermes Iii looks to hold a very good chance but Hurricane Lamp and Kerres Noires are others to warrant serious consideration. The selection was very useful under Rules and he ran a very good race when second at Sandown a week ago, finding only the Cheltenham-bound Red Brook Lad too good for him. That is rock-solid hunter form and, all things being equal, he should go very close to winning this event. Kerres Noires is of a great deal of interest. He makes his British debut here having won four times over hurdles and fences in France. Only six years of age, he looks a very promising recruit to this sphere and should be given all due respect. Hurricane Lamp has been a wonderful servant to connections and still retains a lot of ability - even at 14 and he has also won here in the past. Turning to the others, Caldamus won a hunter chase at Wincanton in March but will be fit here following a recent run in the pointing fields. Victoria's Boy is a Cartmel hunter winner, Caher Society has done the same at Ludlow, Celtic Season displayed very good from when winning over course and distance in 2001, and Smarty, although he's been off for some time now, is best remembered for his marvellous second in the 2001 Grand National, although he too is a course and distance winner. Line Apple is also a multiple French winner but has to improve a little on the basis of his British form to date so this returns us to Hermes Iii, who can book a trip to Cheltenham by winning here.
