JONBON has won this race for the previous two years, and despite this looking a tougher contest, I have him as the firm favourite. On official ratings, Jonbon is at least 5lb in hand of his nearest rival.

Many have noted that he hasn’t been at his brilliant best at this venue, but he possesses a touch of sheer class on his day, and has winning form on all ground conditions. A wind operation over the summer could see him make a winning seasonal debut.

HEADS UP is a highly promising novice hurdler this season. The John McConnell-trained Blue Bresil gelding ran a huge race in the G1 Champion Bumper at this venue in March.

He attempted to make all of the running and was only beaten by Bambino Fever, who followed up by winning another Grade One at Punchestown. Heads Up ran out a successful hurdle winner at Listowel and is open to any amount of progress.

The nine-year-old Dylan Thomas gelding, PRIORY PARK, is open to improvement on just his third run for this trainer. He scored easily on his stable debut – scoring by 6.5 lengths at Ballinrobe – and ran a solid race next time at Listowel.

He performed better than his fifth suggested that day, considering he ran closest to the winner of those who sat off the pace. A winner over this distance, I expect him to finish strongly from a likely strong pace, with any rainfall a positive (dual scorer on soft).

CAN YOU CALL is the most unexposed chaser in this race for 10-year-olds and older. The Evan Williams-trained Passing Glance gelding is worth forgiving for his modest reappearance effort.

He can improve for that pipe opener, with him racing from the same handicap mark of his last two placings. Brian Hughes is an interesting jockey booking and I think he may have more scope than his more exposed rivals.

Three-time novice hurdle winner, WADE OUT, certainly improved for the switch to fences when running out an impressive chase winner at Worcester. He battled on bravely to get the better of a Grade One novice hurdler runner-up, with the pair a long way clear of the remainder.

With further progression possible, it would be a surprise if he were not to be able to go close. The likely rain can only aid his cause, too. Leave Of Absence is a risky proposition, having never raced on a soft surface.

SHADE OF WINTER has made a consistent start for his short career – with form figures of 2, 2, 3, 2, 2 – including a fine runner-up position in a Chepstow maiden hurdle.

He led for a long way behind Royal Rambler, who went close to following up in a Uttoxeter novice event. That form stacks up well, considering the latter is now rated 127 over hurdles. My selection could prove a well-handicapped individual, from a mark of 114.