Many unknown quantities in this race so many have to be considered but, especially if the market speaks in his favour, we'll side with Lost Soldier. The Richard Guest-trained gelding catches the eye on breeding, being by Kris out of an Alydar mare so looks one of the more-likely types. Looking at the others, Chalford Mill hails from Chris Thornton's yard and has some Flat speed in his pedigree, although his dam was only plating class. By Shambo out of an Oats mare, Friendlypersuasion could go well. Leading Man hails from Ferdy Murphy's in-form stable and it might pay to watch for activity in the betting for the gelded son of Old Vic. Vitelli is another that looks worth a second glance on breeding, as is Welcome Archie, who is by Most Welcome, and Esh Bran Girl, whose dam won on the Flat and over hurdles. Silver Squirrel and Keen And Able cannot be ruled out, and add to that list Peter Niven's Simply Mystic, whose dam won 11 races - on the Flat and over hurdles - but stayed well, and Tomorrow's Treasure. Add in the fact that Dunsemore's dam won over hurdles over two-and-three-quarter miles, and you see that it's a tricky race. Watch the betting but, without that prior knowledge, we'll go for Lost Soldier.
