NOW IS THE HOUR holds genuine claims of giving trainer, Gavin Cromwell, a first success in the prestigious staying chase. The Westerner gelding is yet to win in five runs over fences but has shown distinct promise - most notably at the Cheltenham festival last month.

On his first outing beyond three miles, he was in the process of running a huge race, prior to falling two out. The winner, Haiti Couleurs, is favourite for this event but is 4lb worse off at the weights with our selection this time, and Now Is The Hour was arguably travelling just as well that day. The Scottish National 1-2 came from the same Cheltenham race, giving the form a huge boost, and it would be no surprise to see Now Is The Hour go close, with a clear run.

HIGH CLASS HERO is certainly one of the most unexposed chasers in the line-up, entering a first handicap over fences, from an official mark of 148. A Listed hurdle winner, who also placed in Grade One company as a novice, the son of Sulamani has shown glimmers of promise in all three chase outings.

He was disappointingly turned over at short odds last time but could find progress, significantly raised in distance. He won a point-to-point over three miles and his dam is a half-sister to a three-mile scorer in France.  

JOHNNYWHO ran a huge race to finish second in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month. The JP McManus-owned Califet gelding kept on strongly for second and may have won but for an error at the final fence.

That was his first effort in a handicap chase, and although raised 7lb, he has scope for further progress, especially up in journey. Any rain is likely to aid his cause, too, as a three-time winner on soft or heavy ground.