Marlborough Presenting Percy to make class tell

Versatile stayer made a Gold Cup hope battle hard last time so should enjoy racing against novices

1.30 Despite owner Michael O’leary’s efforts to quash the considerable hype, SAMCRO arrives with a sizeable reputation and his racecourse performances say that he deserves it. He has won all three hurdles races easily, including a Grade One at Leopardstown, and there is a strong suspicion we have yet to see just how good he is. Vision

Des Flos showed the benefit of a wind operation when turning a competitive Exter Listed race into a procession and should ensure Samcro works for his prize. Black

Op represents the team who won yesterday’s first race and they will have a solid line to novice form. Neither ground nor track are an issue. Next Destination finished third in last year’s Champion Bumper here and has built on that level of form over hurdles. His Grade One success at Naas last time was achieved with authority and we know that he can battle when he needs to. Star quality: Presenting Percy (right) is a progressive sort

2.10 The versality of PRESENTING PERCY is rare in a staying chaser and that quality suggests he is a cut above the average. His progressive chase form over three miles-plus is enough to put him in with a solid shout anyway, but it was his latest performance, when chasing home the smart Our Duke over 2½ miles that underlines his class. The trip would have been plenty sharp enough for Presenting Percy – he had won over 3m 5f two runs earlier – yet he traded blows with a horse who is third-favourite for

Friday’s Timico Gold Cup. There will be plenty of interest in Black Corton, the mount of Bryony Frost. The pair have formed a formidable team this season and should be thereabouts.

Elegant Escape has stamina as his strong suit and should make a bold show.

Ballyoptic is too inconsistent to have much faith in but there is no denying his ability.

2.50 TOP OF THE GAME fits the usual profile of winners in this trappy puzzle in that he is relatively lightly-raced and progressive. He has also shown form here, as have 80 per cent of the winners during the past 10 years. The manner in which he travelled easily and then stayed on strongly at Sandown last time suggests he is a smart performer who is ahead of his mark.

William Henry beat Topofthegame into fourth place at Kempton in January but that fast track and a lack of pace in the race were against the selection and he should turn the tables.

Mount Mews reverts to hurdles after disappointing chase efforts and would have claims on his best form, were he to be reinvigorated by the smaller obstacles.

3.30 ALTIOR, late injury scare or not, is definitely the one to beat. Much has been made of the wind operation that prevented him returning to racecourse action until Newbury last month, but it was only a minor procedure. Altior, a winner at the past two Festivals, showed the problem was behind him when soon putting

Politologue to the sword that day and winning by four lengths. This was a fine display – close to his best previous form – as Politologue had been in the ascendancy with three smart wins in top-class races to his credit. Douvan has something to prove and has not been seen since sustaining a serious injury in this race a year ago. Min, who clocked a decent time at Leopardstown last time, could prove a bigger threat.

4.10 Previous experience of this tricky cross country course is always invaluable and there is no shortage of proven performers in this tight field. perhaps the most progressive is BLESS THE WINGS and he is a tentative

choice. Cause of Causes, Cantlow and Josies Orders all have similar claims. The Last Samuri, a smart horse at Aintree, is interesting. 4.50 THE KING OF MAY ran a cracker on his first run in this country when a staying-on third in a hot race at Musselburgh and can take advantage of a decent mark, especially as this stiffer track will suit. Eragon De Chanay makes a quick reappearance after scooting up at Sandown last Saturday and would assuredly have had more than a 5lb penalty had the handicapper been in possession of that form when framing these weights.

Turning Gold and Mercenaire have place claims.

5.30 This is never a race to be confident of solving as there is always so much untapped talent waiting to appear. ACEY MILAN has plenty of experience and has shown smart speed for a bumper horse. The Irish have won six to Great Britain’s four in the past 10 years. Blackbow and Felix

Desjy look their principal hopes this time.