HERBIERS could be the beneficiary of the likely pace scenario, despite only the three runners. With a pair of front-runners against him, his claims are clear here, having improved significantly from a modest chasing debut when a fine second at Kempton. The form of that contest has already been advertised – the fourth has subsequently gone in at Fontwell – and this screams as the perfect chance to get off the mark over fences.

With a dearth of competitive races at the Berkshire venue, it’s refreshing to see this each-way opportunity for punters. GETALEAD has been holding his form well since scoring back-to-back hurdle victories in September. He’s returned to that winning handicap mark of 126 and ought to improve for the switch to a sounder surface, having claimed all five careers wins on a decent surface.