Imperial Alcazar is a serious horse. He was a decent bumper performer and is a brilliant jumper of hurdles. He will love the extra distance and we think it will take a very good horse to get past him.
Wandrin Star is in great form at home in advance of this return to action. He had two wide-margin wins last season which means the handicapper may have his say, so probably only place chances.
Templepark is in good order at home and is very fit. He will jump round Wincanton all right - he really loves his jumping - and I think the ground will be fine for him. A serious each-way chance.
Lady in Hiding was promising when fourth on her debut at Newbury in March. I had wanted to run her again but she picked up an infection, from which happily she has fully recovered. A feisty filly, she’s definitely improved from her race, and while we are probably aiming a bit high, her owner can…
Butte Montana has shown himself a serious horse at home. He has to put that onto the track and as it will be his first run he lacks a bit of experience. Despite this he will give a good account and shouldn’t be far away at the finish.
First-time visors and a low draw are potential positives for Waterproof as long as he jumps out well. Three runs back he put in an eye-opening performance at Kempton and a repetition would give him a decent chance.
Minella Warrior does have a bit to find on ratings but is bred for the job and has been schooling and working well in preparation for this. We would hope to be placed.
Benny's Bridge has been flying at home and has won around here before. He needs the race to be run to suit and if they go a good gallop we are confident he will go close.
Champagne Well is in super form. He will love this track and trip and he is fully revved up for today. Unfortunately he had to miss Chepstow as he got a bit of colic at the races. That hasn’t held him back at all and he should go close today.
Petite Power is having his first run back after a lengthy absence due to injury. He is in good form at home but it is unlikely that he'll be good enough to win this. A solid clear round would be the primary objective.
Mulcahys Hill was a bit below par last year but he seems in very good form now. He's got a bit of experience over fences which will hold him in good stead and if he can reproduce some of that earlier form he should run a nice race.
Our two-year-olds as a group were not thriving in the summer but are catching up now. We have three newcomers in this race and they've done enough to be entitled to run. This colt is by Guitafan and as with the other pair I'll be watching him closely.
Proper Ticket was a really consistent mare last season in Irish point-to-points. She probably won't win this but should give a good account of herself.
The Kings Baby is having her first run back after a break. She is in good form at home and lines up back over hurdles. Her plan later in the season is a listed novice chase at Warwick in December, but hopefully she can show improvement over hurdles this winter as well. She has been…
Champagne Noir is a nice horse. We were told the Olly Morphy horse wasn't going to run but now it does. If it's as smart as they say, we probably won't win but ours is a nice horse and should run well either way.
Supamouse looks quite a nice horse although these bumpers are getting pretty competitive. When he came in I wondered looking at him whether he was a Badminton horse, a jumper or a Flat racer. I now think we're taking the correct route and it will be interesting to see him today.