The Irish have won this race six times in the last 10 years and the likelihood is they will win it again with SAMCRO. He has been destroying the opposition in Ireland and has never tasted defeat with seven victories under his belt including a point-to-point. Three bumper wins have been followed by three very impressive hurdle successes and he has yet to come off the bridle.
was brushed aside by him in a Grade One at Leopardstown and he is one of a quartet representing Willie Mullins, who is the leading trainer having won this race four times. Jockey bookings suggest may prove the best of the Mullins team. He was fourth in last year’s Champion Bumper and is unbeaten in his three hurdle outings which include a Grade One at Naas. He has not been as impressive as the selection but will handle the ground. He does look the most likely threat, though
showed much improved form at Exeter after a wind operation and could go well at decent odds. Bryony Frost has ridden
eight times and won seven, failing just the once when three-quarters of a length second to but now 3lb better off. Black Corton’s form has been on an upward curve and his sound jumping has been central to his improvement, but this is a great deal tougher. He is a leading player though the nod must go to MONALEE. He was second in last year’s Albert Bartlett and has transferred that ability to fences, winning both completed starts. He made all in a Grade One at Leopardstown, showing the right attitude to repel Al Boum Photo with back in fourth.
won last year’s Pertemps Final and has bettered that form over fences. His second to a rejuvenated Our Duke, who is a leading contender for the Gold Cup, reads well in this company. With five running for him there is every chance that Willie Mullins will add this race to his Cheltenham CV. Ruby Walsh has chosen which is no surprise as the horse has finished second and third in the Melbourne Cup. That level of Flat form suggests that he could be well treated on his return to hurdles. won this in 2016 and is just 4lb higher but faces a tough task off top weight. Just below him in the handicap is WILLIAM HENRY who, after a brief flirtation with chasing, returned to hurdles with a victory in a valuable handicap at Kempton where he had and
behind. The form of that race has worked out extremely well and he remains of interest despite a 6lb hike. There must be a concern about ALTIOR after his injury scare but Nicky Henderson would not risk him if there was the slightest doubt about his fitness. He is 12 from 12 over obstacles and oozed class on his belated return at Newbury where he brushed aside who had won the Tingle Creek. It will take a good horse to lower his colours though a back-to-form could do that. He suffered his first defeat over fences when sustaining a pelvic injury in this race 12 months ago. He has missed several engagements this season and there is no guarantee that he is back to his very best. Douvan’s stablemate may pose more of a threat. He has proved his fitness and underlined his CAUSE OF CAUSES has won at the Festival for the last three years, lifting this prize 12 months ago. This race has been his target for some time and he will strip fitter for his recent outing at Leopardstown. Stablemate
chased him home last year and is likely to be a major player again. Enda Bolger has won this race five times since the race was established in 2005 and he is represented by three with little to separate and
who fought out the finish of a similar race at Punchestown with just a short head in it. The pair of them are on the short list along with
who has posted several solid placed performances since finishing runner-up in the 2016 Grand National. This is always competitive and this year’s renewal is no different. Paul Nicholls has won two of the last three runnings and his
may prove the best of his duo after returning to form at Musselburgh.
was a maiden on the Flat in Spain but has taken to hurdles really well, winning twice and running second to the classy Apple’s Shakira. He may have got in here on a decent mark but MITCHOUKA may prove the stronger. He is one of the more experienced in the field and was not extended to beat
in a Grade Three at Fairyhouse. Though the runner-up has a big pull at the weights, the winner had a great deal in hand. raced too keenly when disappointing at Huntingdon and is worth another chance after looking a useful recruit in scoring on his Newbury debut. With eight victories in this race anything that Willie Mullins runs needs close inspection. He has not made it easy with five in the field. However, BLACKBOW was very impressive when scoring at Leopardstown where he showed a decisive turn of foot to beat convincingly and should confirm that form. He will probably face more of a threat from who is in receipt of 8lb as a four-year-old. He has improved with each run and two of her three wins have come in Listed affairs.
looked useful when scoring on his debut but only scrambled home at Down Royal. He is now tried in a hood.