With Banbridge likely to be disadvantaged by any rain that falls prior to racing, STAGE STAR can back up his impressive Grade 1-winning performance in last month’s Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A highly progressive individual, he’s expected to prove hard to catch, with a lack of pace against him from the outset.

BO ZENITH has been kept fresh for this assignment, since completing back-to-back wins in a Stratford novice event last month. His front-running style could be perfectly suited to this track, coupled with a propensity to handle soft ground. Jamie Moore has selected Bo Zenith from the pair of Gary Moore runners, with the stable in tremendous form.

DANCING ON MY OWN is well handicapped if bouncing back to his best form. He ran an excellent second behind The Last Day (who takes his chance again this season) but is likely to reverse form from a 1lb lower handicap chase mark. Both career victories have come on testing ground, which bodes well if conditions worsen at the Liverpool venue.