No/Draw/Horse (days since last run)
Age colour sex, Sire - Dam (Damsire)
Form/Owner(s)
Wearing Details
Weight/Penalty
Offical Rating
Forecast Price*
Jockey/
Trainer
1 Al Ferof (FR)
(30J)
7 gr g Dom Alco (FR) - Maralta (FR) (Altayan (IRE))
11-1134 Mr J Hales
11-4
160
1/1
R Walsh
P F Nicholls
Winner of three hurdle races, two NH flat races and two chases from 2m to 2m 3f on ground varying from good to heavy. Well beaten at 3-1 behind Sprinter Sacre when fourth of 6 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase in the Group 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at Cheltenham over 2m (good) last month. Has won at Sandown and Cheltenham this season.
2 Cristal Bonus (FR)
(28J)
6 b g Della Francesca (USA) - Cristal Springs (FR) (Loup Solitaire (USA))
257-11P Mr R J H Geffen
11-4
152
6/1
D A Jacob
P F Nicholls
Winner of three hurdle races and two chases from 2m 1f to 2m 4f on good and heavy ground. Pulled up 2 out when 13-2 in the Group 2 Jewson Novices' Chase at Cheltenham over 2m 4f (good) in a Grade 2 chase won by Sir Des Champs last month on his latest outing. Has won at Kempton and Chepstow this season.
3 Menorah (IRE)
(30J)
7 b g King's Theatre (IRE) - Maid For Adventure (IRE) (Strong Gale)
U411F3 Mrs Diana L Whateley
11-4
151
3/1
R Johnson
P J Hobbs
Has won five hurdle races, a NH flat race and two chases from 2m to 2m 3f on ground varying from good to soft. Third of 6 behind Sprinter Sacre beaten 29l at 10-1 on his latest outing in a Grade 1 chase in the Group 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase at Cheltenham over 2m (good) last month. Has won at Kempton and Taunton this season.
4 Alasi (GB)
(30J)
8 b m Alflora (IRE) - Anamasi (Idiot's Delight)
111U14 Mr Shully Liebermann
10-11
138
16/1
D Elsworth
P R Webber
Winner of four hurdle races and two chases from 2m to 2m 4f on good and good to soft ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind Quevega when fourth of 19 at 20-1 on her latest outing in a Grade 2 hurdle race in the Group 2 OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m 4f (good) last month. Has won 3 times this season.
5 Pepite Rose (FR)
(19J)
5 b m Bonbon Rose (FR) - Sambre (FR) (Turgeon (USA))
441111 Falcons Line Ltd
10-11
150
11/2
Aidan Coleman
Miss V Williams
Winner of two hurdle races and four chases from 2m to 2m 6f on good and heavy ground. Won on her latest outing in a chase when 13-8fav at Newbury over 2m 6f (good) last month, beating How's Business by 9l. Has won 3 times this season.
AL FEROF is best off at these weights with the top official rating of 160 and will prove a tough nut to crack. The high-class grey son of Dom Alco had been progressing nicely over fences before a shocking error four from home put paid to his chances in the Grade 1 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham last month and, not knocked about thereafter, he should arrive a relatively fresh animal this afternoon and produce the goods over a half-a-mile longer trip that is expected to suit. Menorah was just 3-lengths ahead of the selection at Prestbury Park despite Ruby Walsh's mount making that serious mistake and he has yet to convince in the jumping department, so a one-two is predicted for team Ditcheat with Cristal Bonus forgiven what looked a woeful effort in the Grade Jewson Novices' Chase last time out, but it was later discovered that he had unfortunately grown an abscess on his wither.
