Eric's Charm, Fair Prospect, Model Son and Undeniable all make the shortlist in this tricky-looking, handicap-chase with Model Son our selection. He showed that he handled this ground when second to Ossmoses in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup chase at Haydock. He had some useful rivals behind him that day and a reproduction of that form from a one-pound higher mark would see him go very close indeed. The Patrick Haslam trained chaser jumps well and stays all day, just the kind of attributes that will be needed to win this race. Eric's Charm comes here looking to follow up his recent Sandown but he looks to have too much to do giving weight to useful rivals in this ground. Fair Prospect represents the in-form, Paul Nicholls-yard. He has obviously had his problems and comes here having not raced for over four months. He defied a 683-day absence when winning at Aintree but this is a different proposition and he could struggle if not fit. Undeniable, Dungarvons Choice and Aristoxene all represent top yards and they are not here just to make up the numbers, they can all go well but we will stick with Model Son.
Sonevafushi (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Prominent, ridden and weakened 14th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by All In The Stars (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Eric's Charm (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped well, tracked leader, left in lead 13th, clear approaching 3 out, unchallanged and eased near finish, won at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Supreme Catch (10-5) by 21l, 13 ran.
Iris Bleu (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, hampered after 1st, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 21, 16l behind You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Model Son (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 13th, rallied after 2 out, edged left approaching last, kept on, 4th of 21, 5l behind Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Aristoxene (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, badly hampered after 1st, blundered badly 7th, blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Fair Prospect 7-2 (11-12) Held up, hit 11th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, blundered last, kept on well, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Oct beating Soeur Fontenail (10-8) by 7l, 10 ran.
Dungarvans Choice (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, led 12th to 3 out, soon ridden, led again last, headed, not quicken flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Harris Bay (10-10) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Undeniable 16-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 16th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 21, 12l behind You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
