JANGO BAIE holds excellent claims of emulating his Cheltenham success in the G1 Arkle Novices’ Chase. The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old rallied after being outpaced that day, indicating the rise to 2m4f may prove ideal here. He is progressive and ought to be able to bring his A-game, against rivals who are inferior to him, judged on official ratings.

GIDLEIGH PARK is one of the more intriguing runners, having skipped the Cheltenham festival. The son of Walk In The Park stepped up markedly from a poor chase debut when beating a subsequent Cheltenham festival scorer at Windsor in January. He is thoroughly unexposed and deserves respect in what appears to be sub-standard renewal.

LIVE CONTI is one of many unexposed individuals, who hold genuine claims, in what appears a wide-open Grade One Juvenile Hurdle. The French recruit scored effortlessly on UK debut at Wetherby, travelling powerfully throughout. Dan Skelton is no stranger to success at this festival, so sidestepping the Cheltenham festival for this target may prove lucrative.

MURCIA is one of the Cheltenham Festival runners who deserves each-way respect. The Willie Mullins-trained Doctor Dino filly has a considerable weights pull with Puturhandstogether, as she is in receipt of a 7lb fillies allowance here. She’s lightly raced and is one of the each-way angles in this tricky puzzle.

SPILLANE’S TOWER has the potential to develop into a genuine Grade One chaser - especially given his outstanding second in a Punchestown Grade One in November. The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old split two of the current stars of the chasing game - Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs. A subsequent fifth in the King George VI Chase wasn’t a bad effort and he could be primed for this assignment, in what appears a winnable race.

DJELO looks massively overpriced, considering he comes out top on official ratings. It’s probably wise to forget a seventh in the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month. He hasn’t shown his best on testing tracks - with his best form coming on flatter circuits, such as Huntingdon and Newbury. A course winner, he could show more returning here and has scope to improve over this distance, having not raced at three miles or beyond.

Despite arriving with a touch of caution, after falling in the G1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, CONSTITUTION HILL rates the clear one to beat on official ratings - he is 8lb clear of his nearest rival. He has a question mark to answer but is well suited to this venue, having landed this contest in 2023, and if delivering anywhere near his best, ought to storm clear in decisive fashion.

LOSSIEMOUTH is the obvious main danger to Constitution Hill. She finished within three lengths of him at Kempton over Christmas and arrives in scintillating form - winning the G1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham at a canter. The pair are miles clear of the remainder, with at least 8lb back to the third-best on figures. It would be a surprise if the front two weren’t fighting out the finish on Merseyside.

MY DROGO rolled back the years, with an impressive chase success at Doncaster. That was his first win under rules since 2021 and he won a Grade One hurdle at this venue previously. Undoubtedly unexposed over fences, the former Dan Skelton-trained 10-year-old is a notable candidate for a jockey who certainly knows how to win around these fences - he won this race in 2023.

2023 winner, FAMOUS CLERMONT, holds obvious appeal, returning to the scene of his greatest triumph. He warmed up for this with a comfortable five-length win in a point-to-point at Cothelstone, beating the formerly useful Acey Milan. The drying ground conditions are a positive and it would be no surprise if he were to be involved at the business end of this, even over the Grand National fences.

PETIT TONNERRE could have further improvement to come over fences this term. The Walkpark gelding scored for the first time since season at Doncaster, on good ground in January. That win came from a career-low mark of 125, with a subsequent rise to 130 still pretty lenient. A strong pace is the key to a strong performance, with that almost guaranteed in this ultra-competitive handicap chase.

CALICO was a good two-mile handicap chase winner at Cheltenham in October. 2lb higher here, in a more competitive race, obviously demands more but he appeals from an each-way perspective at decent odds. He has the right running style for this track, which largely suits strong-travelling types, who possess a burst of acceleration.

CHARISMA CAT is one of a whole host of possible contenders in the wide-open bumper. Three from four under rules, the daughter of Nathaniel atoned for a luckless run at Market Rasen with an impressive Sandown success. She is bred for the flat and could have too much speed for her rivals, for a trainer who landed this prize in 2019.

The yard responsible for last year’s winner, Ben Pauling, has a chance of going close again this campaign, with impressive Warwick winner, BETTY’S DAISY. The Jack Hobbs mare scooted clear of her opposition by seven lengths that day, in the manner of a good type. There is stamina on her dam side, so may prefer a longer trip in time but is one to note for the placings at big odds today.