Horse-byhorse guide

1 Buveur D’air The reigning champion has done plenty since to suggest his crown will not be usurped. Has high cruising speed and can quicken. Hard to fault. 4-7 fav

2 Ch’tibello Useful and consistent, but falls short of top grade and would need to find major improvement to prevail. 33-1

3 Charli Parcs Has never lived up to early promise and all three runs this season have been disappointing; hard to fancy on that evidence. 150-1

4 Elgin Heading in right direction and was supplemented for £20,000 after a careerbest success at Wincanton; acts on track and further progress could see him in the frame. 20-1

5 Faugheen Although still smart, on recent evidence, he is not the horse he was. Wears cheekpieces for first time and, if they work, would give Buveur D’air a race at his best. 6-1

6 Identity Thief Well beaten the past five times he has tackled this highest level and seems to be on the downgrade. 100-1

7 John Constable Second to Buveur D’air at Sandown last time but no match for that horse and plenty more needed from him to turn that form around. 100-1

8Melon Disappointed in a hood for the first time at Leopardstown on latest outing; generally progressive prior to that; definite place claims. 16-1

9 Mick Jazz Won weak Grade One at Leopardstown when Faugheen was pulled up; form generally not of sufficient calibre to be considered a likely winner. 33-1

10 My Tent Or Yours This admirable performer loves it here and has been placed in three Champion Hurdles; no reason to believe he cannot make it four. 20-1

11 Wicklow Brave Wonderfully tough and consistent dual-purpose horse, who can give a good account without perhaps winning. 14-1

12 Yorkhill Smart hurdler on his day – won 2016 Ballymore Hurdle here – and has been chasing with mixed results. Enigmatic nowadays and hard to fancy. 14-1

13 Verdana Blue Only a decent handicapper at best and difficult to argue her case at this level. 100-1