INVINCIBLE BOY can improve on a promising second-placed-finish, on debut at York, which looks the best form on offer. The winner wasn’t beaten too far in Listed company next time, and the third ran a solid second at Newmarket subsequently. My selection holds strong claims to get off the mark, for a trainer who has had five winners in the previous fortnight.

The rapidly-improving ART OF DIPLOMACY was unfortunate to not extend his winning sequence overs fences at Chepstow. He clearly arrives in rude health and has scope for even further chasing progress, despite being a nine-year-old. All bar one of his rivals here are racing on seasonal reappearance, and with the thought that many may need their first outing of the season, I’m siding with the Mickey Bowen-trained gelding.

I’m sure plenty of punters will be waxing lyrical about the promise of chasing newcomers and lightly-raced types here, but I was impressed with the facile success of DUNSTALL RAMBLER at Worcestsr recently. That 18-length win came on reappearance and he could find further improvement with that run under his belt, coupled with the fact that good ground clearly suits. I know he was raised 12lb for that victory, but he’s worth chancing while in such good form. His trainer won this in 2017 and 2021, too, which boosts confidence.

I have long been a fan of the JP McManus-owned JOHNNYWHO. The lightly-raced chase has only had six efforts over fences – with the highlight a superb second in the Kim Muir, from a 6lb lower mark. He absolutely tanked through that race, suggesting that this drop in trip would help, and he has the right profile for a race of this nature, over the Grand National fences.

DON’T MIND IF I DO is a fascinating handicap debutant, following three good hurdle runs in novice company last season. He landed a Wincanton maiden hurdle in that period and could prove to be a well-handicapped individual, from an opening mark of 120. He has considerable untapped potential and his trainer, Alan King, arrives in excellent form, with six scorers in the last 14 days.

I can’t leave WAY TO DUBAI alone at fair prices – considering he is now so well treated, from a handicap mark of 65, which is 17lb than when last placing. I admit, he has been disappointing for his latest trainer, with little worthwhile form to offer, but has a kind draw to work from and has been found a weak race here.