CALETT MAD comes here in good form after a solid second at Kelso last time and can step it up here.
He was an excellent fifth in the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival and can be relied on to keep going right to the line.
Cogry won well at Cheltenham last time and should be in the mix again from just 3lb higher in the weights.
Duel At Dawn is another for the shortlist after a pipe-opener at Haydock last time.
Un Temps Pour Tout is the pick of the outsiders.
NEED FOR SPEED Altior heads 22 entries for the Champion Chase
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT 3/5
TOUT sweet. Interesting going back over fences for first time since winning Ultima Chase at Cheltenham Festival for second year in a row.
Is a fair 3lb higher in the weights today and had a spin over hurdles before Christmas. Should stay and has each-way claims at a decent price.
SIZING CODELCO 3/5
SIZING’s hard to measure. Went close in a good Uttoxeter chase last time out in May and should have no issue staying.
Problem is he doesn’t run two races the same so, while he’s capable of winning, he could also throw in another stinker.
STEP BACK 3/5
COULD Step it up. Looked rusty when seventh at Chepstow after a break in October and the absence since is a slight concern.
Respected for winning Bet365 Gold Cup in April from 14lb lower in betting so trip suits but needs very best to take another big prize.
ULTRAGOLD 2/5
GOLD must shine. Best recent form has come when winning over the Aintree National fences and he didn’t get home over 3m2f there last time.
Jumps well and comes from a top yard but has gone up the weights and is booked for a place at best.
IBIS DU RHEU 3/5
RHEU and cry. Won over 3m2f at Cheltenham in November but disappointed over this sort of trip when well beaten there last time.
That could have been just an off day and he’s capable of better. Softer ground would probably help.
CALETT MAD 5/5
MAD for it. Improving chaser who was beaten in a close finish over a marathon trip at Kelso last time.
This is a hotter race but he earlier shaped well in one of Cheltenham’s big Grade 3 chases in November. He stays well and he can improve past his 5lb rise.
CHASE THE SPUD 1/5
SPUD you don’t like. Has been struggling in lesser races than this and was tailed off at Sandown last time out.
Down the weights but would be a major turn-up if he goes close to winning this.
COGRY 4/5
COG has gears. Consistent performer who battled well to win over 3m2f at Cheltenham last time.
He stays this trip well and a 3lb rise for that victory gives him every chance. Jumps well and keeps going so looks a solid each-way bet.
MILANSBAR 2/5
BAR’s closed. Has been his usual inconsistent self since winning this 12 months ago in first-time blinkers.
Is a fair 6lb higher than last year and could bounce back but needs to lead and there are several front-runners in this.
CAROLE’S DESTRIER 3/5
CAROLE’S in tune. Ran best race for a long time when winning at Newbury last time and a 3lb rise in the weights is fair.
This ground is ideal and the trip won’t be a problem. A repeat of last time would put him right in the mix.
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DUEL AT DAWN 4/5
DAWN chorus. Looks capable of better than what he’s shown so far and went well for a long way when midfield on comeback at Haydock last time.
He should build on that with cheekpieces back on and he went close in a Listed hurdle here so the track suits.
CROSSPARK 2/5
CROSS words. Struggled in a similar race to this at Wetherby on Boxing Day after earlier winning over hurdles.
Stays well but is 11lb higher than last chase win and looks a little outclassed.
IMPULSIVE STAR 2/5
STAR won’t shine. Another front-runner who was held in a modest contest at Plumpton last time.
Did go well when distant fourth in NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but is very hit and miss so can’t be relied on.
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