Despite a 10lb rise in the weights, I’m convinced that TUSCAN POINT has far more to offer in handicap company. Former flat jockey, Adam Kirby, trains this last-time-out winner, who scored with plenty in hand over track and trip 10 days ago. If the Blue Point gelding arrives in the same form, I expect a repeat performance.

HELTENHAM firmly bounced back to form last time, when a determined winner in a stronger course handicap chase last month. The Dan Skelton-trained seven-time chase winner won this race in 2023 and 2024 — clearly a course specialist. His defeat of Blow Your Wad worked out well, considering that horse has subsequently ran a fine fifth at the Cheltenham festival.

This appears to be an excellent Listed Mares’ Hurdle over an extended three-mile distance. TANKARDSTOWN DIVA deserves her chance at a big race, given her brilliant handicap form this campaign. She arrives here after back-to-back wins over staying journeys. She isn’t a mile away from the top rated mares in this, and she may have yet reached the ceiling of her ability.

CAPTAIN BUTLER returned to hurdling with a fair fifth at Haydock last time. The son of Mount Nelson has been dropped 2lb for that effort, which may be lenient, given he is raised in distance.

He is a three-mile point winner, who looks to be crying out for this 2m5f journey, and despite the competitiveness of the race, isn’t one to dismiss for a placing at decent odds.

Bumper winner, BETTY’S DAISY, improved dramatically second-time-out at over hurdles, in a first-time tongue-tie at Ludlow. The Jack Hobbs mare won decisively that day; the seventh and tenth have won since, to boost the form. She looks overpriced at these odds.

AGAINST THE WIND is not without a place chance on seasonal reappearance, given that he scored first-time-out last term. The Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old is 2-4 on the all-weather, with a track and trip success to his name. Although this is an ultra-competitive handicap, I believe he could race prominently and be able to run a decent race.