ALNILAM has been dropped to third in the betting, but I’m happy to keep him on side after winning snugly at Uttoxeter (Country Mile second). That success came on chase debut, where he jumped soundly from the front.

If leaping with similar smoothness here, he will be giving his opposition plenty of ground to chase. I know he has to give Country Mile 5lb this time, but the latter’s ponderous jumping may not be well suited to this venue. 

Promising novice hurdler, UN SENS A LA VIE, aims to remain undefeated under rules after a pair of Market Rasen victories – one flat event and a hurdle.

He scored impressively in both of those races – particularly over hurdles – where he bolted up from the front. He has a similar profile to stable and owner-mate, Potters Charm, who won on this card last season. 

Three-time hurdle winner, BOWENSONFIRE, is one of the more interesting each-way options in the fiendishly-difficult handicap hurdle.

The Gemix gelding scored over 2m1f at Bellewstown in July, prior to a few fair efforts. He is likely to appreciate this rise in journey to 2m4f as a half-brother to a winner over this trip. He’s also been keeping-on nicely over 2m1f, suggesting he can offer more at this galloping circuit.

The in-form Henry De Bromhead saddles the unexposed chaser JASKO DES DAMES, who is an obvious contender on his second run of the season.

The son of It’s Gino was a fine fifth over track and trip, as a novice, in the competitive Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham festival earlier this year. A recent runner-up effort on seasonal debut should have put him spot-on for this assignment, and he firmly appeals as a huge player.

ARCH EMPIRE is one of the more experienced hurdlers in this line-up, following eight jumping efforts. The Doctor Dino gelding has mixed form, but his best hurdle efforts give him more than a fair chance – including a fine second to smart novice Davy Crokett at Listowel. He will be hard to boot out of the frame.

The hat-trick-seeking SOLLY ATTWELL may be able to defy a hike in the weights. He bounced back to form with a success over fences at Galway, followed by an easy six-length win at Downpatrick. The seven-year-old isn’t to be underestimated on just a sixth chasing run, with the potential of further progress.