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THE last two winners of the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, YANWORTH and Willoughby Court, make this novices’ chase a fascinating clash. Yanworth is still a year ahead of his main rival in terms of development and his record of 11 wins in 16 races is hard to knock. He ran disappointingly when favourite for the Champion Hurdle but with regular pilot Barry Geraghty taking over the reins he bounced back with a Grade One success at Aintree to finish his hurdling career in style. Having said that, he did hit the deck last time at Exeter and the rivals he beat on his earlier chase debut have all flopped since. Willoughby Court is the apple of trainer Ben Pauling’s eye and won on his chase debut at Huntingdon. Punters who had taken a short price were uneasy at one point up the home straight, though it must be remembered he was a beaten favourite on his first start last season before hitting his stride. There is a 6-1 shot worth a close look – OLDGRANGEWOOD. He ended last term beaten just five lengths by Arkle Trophy runner-up Cloudy Dreams and his comeback run was a very respectable third in the Old Roan Chase behind one-time Hennessy winner Smad Place. The former-point-to-point scorer Willie Boy is a formidable opponent from the Venetia Williams yard as he has yet to be beaten when completing. A recent course and distance win over these testing fences is also a major plus. Another terrific head-to-head on this Newbury programme sees THISTLECRACK warm up for his bid to win the King George for a second consecutive year against Unowhatimeanharry, who gained revenge over his Stayers’ Hurdle conqueror Nichols Canyon when they met again six weeks later at Punchestown. Even tip-top former hurdlers tend to lose their zip over timber having pursued a chase career but it is hard to get away from the fact that Colin Tizzard’s star receives 6lb from his almost equally talented rival. Proven winning brackets over the three-mile trip, and the strong form of his course and distance third last month, make BENEAGLES the one they all have to beat. He is towards the bottom of the handicap, still only five, and therefore with potential for much more improvement. The Alan King runner also has the assistance of stable jockey Wayne Hutchinson for the first time this season. A first-time visor can see him reverse places with Whataknight who finished half a length in front at this track last time. Hello George put up a career-best performance in defeat when tried over today’s trip for the first time – and on heavy going – on his latest outing at Ayr. Champion jockey Richard Johnson, who has been on board for all four of this one’s wins, is back in the saddle this afternoon.