With her handy 7lb sex allowance, HONKY TONK HIGHWAY is expected to take this class rise in her stride, following an encouraging second on reappearance at Warwick. She performed with credit that day, trying to give weight away to a potentially high-quality runner from the Nicky Henderson yard, and the pair pulled well clear of the remainder. Honky Tonk Highway is already a course winner and has shown winning form on soft ground, which is anticipated today.

With a clear round of jumping, it is hard to look beyond hot favourite, JONBON, registering a second consecutive G1 Tingle Creek Chase and also remain with a perfect record at Sandown (currently 4-4). His jumping can sometimes let him down but it was faultless in an easy reappearance success at Cheltenham. A reproduction of that will suffice, versus two of the same rivals here.

MERMAIDS CAVE is worth an each-way shout at double-figure odds. Although well-held by recent Wincanton winner Larchmont Lass, who must hold excellent credentials to follow up, she is an unexposed type over this distance. She began her winning over hurdles from a mark of 90 and has progressed to 110. There is scope to rate higher still, especially on deeper ground, for a trainer who is excelling this season.

Dual track scorer, WEST TO THE BRIDGE, holds genuine claims of reaching the frame in this ultra-competitive handicap hurdle. The Dan Skelton-trained veteran is attractively weighted, despite his advancing years, a pound lower than when last successful. He showed more at Bangor last time, suggesting that he could run a decent race this afternoon, on ground he relishes.

ALTOBELLI is a fascinating contender on seasonal reappearance for the Harry Fry stable. He was notably a fine runner-up spot first-time-out last term at Ascot, coming from a 1lb higher mark, and is weighted to reverse form with Knickerbockerglory this time around. A subsequent downfield run in the fiendishly-difficult Betfair Hurdle can be excused.

Dour stayer, MR VANGO, is worth chancing to make all in the mud at the Esher venue. With conditions expected to ride testing, the selection is a notable galloper on deep ground. A 60-length success in last season’s Devon National is hard to ignore in the form book and he is completely unexposed over fences, after just four efforts. He could make this a relentless gallop, which his rivals may not be able to keep pace with.