Not a race for the faint-hearted as it will be run over three-and-a-half miles on testing going. For us, then, World Wide Web gets the vote over Ballybrophy, Joss Naylor, Akarus and Kingsmark. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained selection won well at Leopardstown last time under a superb ride from Liam Cooper, who rides him again today. He's not the most straightforward conveyance and has been raised 13lbs for his Irish win. However, he could be the type to follow until he gets beaten. Stablemate Joss Naylor is still on a very attractive handicap mark, particularly given that he was runner-up in the Hennessy Gold Cup last time. He has to be considered. If retaining the level of form that saw him win Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock in November 2002, Kingsmark ought to go well, but it's a tough ask to carry topweight over this trip on this going. Stormez ought to be competitive from his current mark but also has a lot of weight to carry. Akarus was runner-up in this track's Midlands National last season, proving that staying was his forte, so watch out for him too. Ardent Scout won last year's Becher Chase but has been beaten from revised marks since. Maximise is another to be well-handicapped if getting back to his best, while Ballybrophy, who has been supported for the Grand National, will love the conditions and won well at Chepstow last time. Add into the mix Nicky Henderson's lightly raced Hersov could yet come into his own as a stayer, Tyneandthyneagain is well regarded by his trainer, and Coursing Run has a progressive profile. A smashing race and one in which we side with World Wide Web.
