The recent arctic chill that had plagued the country and the sport of horse racing had mercifully subsided just in time for a high quality race meeting at Ascot. With the Cheltenham Festival looming larger by the day, Ascot hosted its Grade One Clarence House Chase meeting, with the feature race hosting plenty of exceptional memories and drama. With the let up in the weather, stables up and down the country will be eager to make up for lost time with their horses and there would be plenty of competitive and large field sizes. This would be the first running of the meeting at Ascot since 2022 as frost took its toll on the course which led to the abandonment in 2023 and 2024. The meeting would also form the middle leg of the new look Winter Millions Festival, a valuable weekend of racing which takes place in conjunction with the nearby Windsor.

Race One: The BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle - Class Three - Two Miles - 4-Y-O Only - Runners:

The afternoon's action would kick off with an intriguing event for juvenile hurdlers. The youngsters are still in the infancy of their National Hunt careers and are still learning on the job. This two mile contest would see a mix of rising stars for leading stables as well as recruits from the flat sphere. The last renewal of this race saw Dan Skelton's newcomer Doctor Parnassus make an impressive first start over obstacles before pitching into top flight company. 

This year's renewal looked right up to scratch and the outcome of the race could have repercussions on future Grade One races. The racecard was headed by the first of the previous winners, Knight Templar for the Robert Stephens stable. The speedily bred gelding found a whole chunk of improvement since joining his current trainer and after a promising debut, landed a good quality race at Kempton over Christmas. Next up would be the eagerly awaited UK debut of Lulamba, trained by Nicky Henderson. After an impressive debut win in France, he was purchased for a hefty fee and was already at the head of the ante-post betting for the Triumph Hurdle. Another French recruit would be the filly Morning Air for the Venetia Williams yard. She would progress at a lower level in her home country before moving to Britain at the start of this season and winning nicely on hurdling debut. The most experienced in the field over hurdles would be the Anthony Charlton-trained Moutarde. Having started out in Ireland, the gelding signed off 2024 with a win at Taunton, his second win for the stable. There would be another exciting prospect in the line up in the form of Sauvignon for the Paul Nicholls stable. He would win a listed race over hurdles when last seen, but that was back in June 2024. Despite that, he arrived in Britain with a glowing reputation. There would be Irish interest as well as Gavin Cromwell sent over Total Look for this valuable prize. The grey made a winning debut in this sphere at Navan and was then denied in a three-way photo finish at Cheltenham in December. The flat recruit Viyanni has a smart pedigree from the Aga Khan stud and made a smooth transition to hurdling by winning first time up at Market Rasen in November. Trainer Roger Teal has tasted high profile success at this venue on the flat, but he would be represented by a rare hurdling runner in this contest. Vorderman didn't show much promise in bumpers, but caused a surprise on his first attempt at hurdles. He would need to improve even further to feature in this exciting contest. The James Owen stable have already made an impression on the hurdling game in recent seasons and they would saddle Lavender Hill Mob in this contest. The gelding was useful on the flat and has run with credit in two decent races over hurdles. The Nigel Twiston-Davies yard landed a Grade One over the Christmas period and would be represented by Ocean Conquest, a winner on the flat in Ireland and a well bred gelding. After missing a decent amount of time, he was pitched into a tough race on hurdling debut last month. The beautifully bred Ramaah lined up for the small scale stable of Sarah-Jayne Davis, who took on some high profile yards here. Her runner was beaten by wide margins in both starts to date. Rukaana is another horse who is bred to be very good on the flat, but only won twice in low key events last year. Since joining the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill yard, he showed promise when third on hurdling debut but a bad mistake last time out all but ended his race. The first of the hurdling newcomers would be Aviemore, making his debut for the Harry Derham stable. He would show a good level of stamina to win over a mile and a quarter on heavy ground last year. Alex Hales would saddle Crown Of India for his debut in this new discipline and finished third numerous times on the flat in 2024. Next up would be a fascinating runner, Mondo Man for the Gary & Josh Moore stable. The new recruit ran to a high level in France last season and would demand respect if taking to this new challenge. St Pancras would be a topically named winner for the area and made his debut over hurdles for Toby Lawes. The gelding improved for the step up in trip to win impressively at Southwell when last seen. Anthony Charlton would saddle a second runner here with Victory Shout, a son of Frankel who won twice last year on the flat and showed plenty of stamina. The final runner would be a second for James Owen, the newcomer Wyld Bill. The grey had little chance to show his ability on the flat, but is a half brother to a hurdles winner. 

Winner:

Race Two: The BetMGM Handicap Chase - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners:

The first of the handicap contests would also be the longest event of the day. This class three handicap would see a tightly packed field on ratings and was poised to make an interesting spectacle. Last run in 2022, the race saw amateur owner-turned-rider David Maxwell galvanise Cat Tiger to win over Cobolobo in a thrilling finish.

Top weight would be carried by Annsam for the Evan Williams stable. The ten year old is a former course and distance winner at listed level and has added three more valuable prizes to his CV. The novice Johnnywho gave himself a big reputation over hurdles last season, but was found out at the top level. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill's eight year made a winning debut over fences but was just below the level in a pair of Grade Two events recently. The grey King Turgeon has announced himself this season for the David Pipe yard by effortlessly winning the Grand Sefton Chase on Aintree's National course in November. Since then, he has added a good handicap at Cheltenham and was firmly on the up. The very popular Kitty's Light has been a regular fixture in handicaps like this and Christian Williams's nine year old often comes into form in the second half of the season. A second runner for the David Pipe stable would be Gericault Roque, who has plenty of high class handicap form to his name but was making his return since the 2022 Hennessy Gold Cup. Rebecca Curtis's ten year old Pat's Fancy has been lightly raced in recent seasons but was a promising novice a few years ago. He would be another to return from a long break having last been seen in the 2023 Welsh National. The veteran eleven year old Fortescue is another previous course winner and Henry Daly's runner plugged on into fourth over half a mile further here last time out. The Chris Gordon-trained Unanswered Prayers has developed into a progressive stayer this season and landed the Southern National at Fontwell in November. He would drop back in distance for this good prize. The eight year old Hititi has yet to win over fences, but has hit the post twice this year. Robert Walford's runner stays this distance strongly and was looking for the elusive first chase win. Welsh National-winning trainer Mel Rowley would be represented by Kyntara, who finished second in a big handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last season but remains lightly campaigned over fences. Venetia Williams is a trainer to fear in chase handicaps and would saddle Ramo in this contest, who made his seasonal reappearance here. The eight year old won first time up last season and goes well fresh. The Alan King-trained Es Perfecto is a talented sort who doesn't have as many wins as his ability offers. He would gain a breakthrough victory over fences at the start of the season, but was found out in a similar race at Kempton on Boxing Day. David Maxwell would attempt to make it back to back wins in this contest with his horse In d'Or, trained by Venetia Williams. The seven year old won with a little up his sleeve last time out. He would face the reopposing Herakles Westwood here, who went on to win his next start for the Warren Greatrex stable. The novice did the job impressively last time and has been generally progressive. Another recent improver in the field is O'Connell, who has been the flag bearer for new partnership Sue Smith & Joel Parkinson. The eight year old landed a second win of the season in wide margin style in the Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day. The mare Regatta de Blanc was a highly rated sort in hunter chases and won at Cheltenham by a distance in May. She has run well in open company this season, including here when second in November. The ten year old Sizeable Sam is well named and Jeremy Scott's runner has started to live up to his potential over fences. After missing most of 2024, he ran just averagely last time out and has yet to feature at this level yet. An improver in the field would be the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Superbolt, who arrived here in search of a hat-trick of wins. The five year old has defied his youth to win comfortably on his last two starts. A second runner for the Henry Daly team would be Rockinastorm, who has won his fair share of races and would be another to arrive with a hat-trick attempt. The eight year old has been strong at the finish over this distance, but stepped up in grade here. Suzy Smith's Animal has enjoyed a good couple of seasons and has developed into a useful stayer in the process. Having finished second over even further a year ago, he was slightly disappointing on his latest start in April 2024. The final runner in the line up would be the lowly-rated Gold Clermont for the Andy Irvine stable. The nine year old seems to enjoy a marathon nowadays and was fourth in last season's Eider Chase, but his recent form has been below his best.

Winner:

Race Three: The BetMGM Mares' Hurdle - Grade Two - Two Miles - Runners:
The first of the quality events would take place with this valuable mares hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles. Not only is the Grade Two a valuable prize money pot to the winner, but events like these can shape the future of National Hunt racing as the winner's profile will be boosted handsomely as a broodmare prospect. With Cheltenham approaching, this race also fits in nicely on the road to the Festival. First run in 2008, the first winner Labelthou has been followed by the likes of Sparky May, Vroum Vroum Mag and future Grand National runner up Magic Of Light. Last year's renewal was lost to the weather but transferred North to Doncaster, where the likeable Marie's Rock gained another black type victory. 

As expected for this Grade Two contest, there would be some high profile names on display as the road to the big festivals continued. The all conquering Willie Mullins stable would be represented by Kargese, who was making her first start of the season. The five year old won two Grade Ones last season as well as finishing second against the geldings at Cheltenham and Aintree. She would have to give weight away however and her rivals would be looking to take advantage. Nigel Twiston-Davies's Casa No Mento won a valuable handicap hurdle in May last year to cap off a progressive season. She has been below par so far this season and was last seen finishing fourth over fences. Dan Skelton would be represented by Take No Chances this year and his mare was very impressive at Wetherby in October before taking part at Grade One level on her next start. The up and coming trainer Ben Clarke would saddle Ooh Betty in this valuable race and the seven year old finished second to Golden Ace last season. This time around, she has picked up two more wins in handicap company and made a return to pattern company. Nicky Henderson would also be represented in this contest, courtesy of Pawapuri. The dual-purpose mare has arguably failed to live up to expectations, but won a listed race thirteen months ago. She would be another to need a lifetime best to win. A second runner for the maestro of Seven Barrows would be Aston Martini, who had a more upward profile. After winning her first three starts, she looked useful, but has since been found at at a higher level. The eldest runner in the field would be the eight year old All The Glory. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill's mare caused a surprise last season to win a Grade Two handicap at Newbury before losing form. She arrived here in good spirits once again having easily landed back to back handicap hurdle wins. The field would be completed by Brendas Asking, for the newly formed partnership of Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls. She has shown ability to win races at a much lower level, but this would be a totally different proposition.

Winner: 

Race Four: The Bet365 Handicap Chase - Class Two - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners:

The warm up ahead of the big one would see another very competitive handicap, which also falls in nicely on the road to the Aintree and Cheltenham Festivals. There would be plenty of regular faces for this sort of event as well as numerous course specialists lining up for this valuable contest. The enigmatic Phoenix Way would land this race when it was last run in 2022, where he got the better of subsequent Grade One placed Fanion d'Estruval. 

There would be some high class and well known names in the lineup, which was headed by top weight Hitman. The Paul Nicholls-trained nine year old promised so much in his early career, but has continued to frustrate with a will of snatching defeat away from victory. He would be making a first start since the Old Roan at Aintree in October. Another classy contender would be the Venetia Williams-trained Martator. The eight year old has a great record at this track and bagged a brace of handicap chase wins in impressive style earlier this season. He then finished third in a Grade Two at Kempton over Christmas. The likeable story of Latenightpass has turned the twelve year old into a household name and having won over the National fences and Cross-Country fences, Tom Ellis's charge would be making a rare start over regular fences. The Stuart Edmunds-trained Arizona Cardinal is another winner over the National fences in the line up having landed the Topham Chase at the Grand National festival last season. He failed to stay the distance over a mile further last time out at Cheltenham. The Irish challenger would be the Henry de Bromhead-trained Shantreusse, who has yet to win over fences but has shown plenty of quality to do so in the near future. Having placed at listed level last season, he would be an early faller last time out. The mare Terresita has shown herself to be very useful in recent years and Lucy Wadham's seven year old defeated some good types in a listed race on seasonal comeback in November. Her latest run saw her finish a good third over course and distance. Another course regular in the lineup would be Kotmask for the Gary and Josh Moore team. The chestnut has a good strike rate and in three starts at Ascot this season, he has finished in the podium spots; culminating with a win last time out in December over a slightly shorter trip. The Dan Skelton-trained Flegmatik has an affinity for Kempton, but his last win came in exactly a year ago. Despite this, the ten year old has always retained plenty of quality about him and he has been seen regularly in premier handicap chases over the past two years. Kansas City Star would come next in the lineup for Harry Derham on the back of a win at Doncaster in November. The gelding looked more at home over this intermediate trip by gaining the upper hand close home. Joe Tizzard's Scarface is a former winner here in the past and ended a progressive novice chase campaign with victories in a pair of valuable contests at Sandown and Plumpton. This season, he appears to be coming into his peak following a close second to Kotmask here just before Christmas. Nocte Volatus has seemingy ironed out the errors that plagued his progress earlier in his career and the ten year old arrived to this contest in good form. Following two lower grade wins, Tom Lacey's runner stayed on into second over course and distance in November behind a winner who went on to win again. The novice chaser Tedley lined up as the youngest runner in the race, but gained plenty of positives for his consistency. Nigel Twiston-Davies's six year old landed a pair of wins in the early weeks of the winter season and has since done little wrong with four placings recently. The Ben Pauling-trained Bad somehow has just the one win to his name, but has the talent for more. The six year old has finished second six times, including at this venue and this would be a nice race to break his seemingly cursed luck. The field would be completed by a second runner for the Tom Lacey stable, Dibble Decker. The nine year old has done his connections proud with six wins to date, but struggled to adapt to the smaller obstacles here last time when only midfield at the pre-Christmas meeting. He would likely enjoy going back to fences. 

Winner:

Race Five: The BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle - Class Two - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners:
One of the toughest betting heats of the afternoon would be this handicap hurdle over the middle distance of two and a quarter miles with eyes looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival. Once raced as a Grade Two contest, the race has its own collection of memories such as the hard as nails Lough Derg winning the first two runnings of this race back in 2008 and 2009. Another high class name of the jumps was successful in this race as future Hennessy Gold Cup winner Smad Place added this race to a bulging CV. The race was last run in 2022 and saw Harry and Dan Skelton combine to win with Unexpected Party, a wide margin winner on the day and subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner two years later.

The weights would be headed by the much loved Goshen, who made a return to action. The one of a kind character has gained his own fan club over the years, but the nine year old loves this venue having won a Grade Two hurdle in 2022. Gary & Josh Moore's quirky star finally won over fences when last seen, but reverted to his preferred hurdles. Next up would be Dargianni for the Harry Derham stable. The ten year old has won at this level in the past, most recently in October 2023. After a slow start to the season, he ran his best race so far when caught close home at Doncaster in December. The green and gold silks of JP McManus would be carried by the improving Impose Toi for the Nicky Henderson stable. The seven year old has a likeable profile and landed his first big race this season at Newbury at the end of November. Might I was highly touted at the start of his hurdling career, but things didn't pan out as expected. Harry Fry's gelding has turned nine now, but remains a classy sort. He returned to winning ways in November, but was outstayed over three miles last time out. Another very smart Nicky Henderson runner would be Bo Zenith. The six year old finished second at Grade One level before missing the whole of last season. He showed that he retained all his talent when third at Cheltenham on his recent comeback. Next up would be a forgotten horse, Evan Williams's Minella Missile. The seven year old held Cheltenham Festival aspirations early last season by winning a Grade Two at Cheltenham. An injury ruled him out up until this point and he had the chance to remind viewers of his ability. The Fergal O'Brien team celebrated more high level success at this venue last month and saddled Kamsinas for this event. The eight year old won nicely on seasonal debut before ploughing through the mud at Haydock into fourth in November. The Harry Fry stable would have a strong group in this race and Beat The Bat lined up here as a leading contender. The seven year old landed his first hurdles win here last season and made a good return to action at Haydock on first try at this trip. His stablemate Altobelli is another talented sort with two placed efforts in similar events over course and distance. The seven year old was given too much to do when finishing strongly at Doncaster last time out. Harry Derham's Givemefive has made a bright start over hurdles over the course of the last twelve months. After finishing second in a Grade Two last season, he landed a conditions race at Cheltenham in October and remained unexposed. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Josh The Boss is expected to make an even better chaser, so his achievements over hurdles have been a nice bonus. The six year old won a valuable hurdle at Chepstow in October and was hoping to add a second to his CV. A second runner for the Fergal O'Brien stable would be Stoner's Choice, who finished sixth in this race in 2022. He has yet to win since that year, but shown enough in two starts this season following a long break. The eight year old Hardy Du Seuil has seemingly been around for longer than reality, but Jamie Snowden's charge is a decent type at this level. He would revert back to hurdles last time out to chase home a progressive type at Carlisle. Yet another runner for Nicky Henderson would be the nine year old Doddiethegreat. He was an exciting prospect two seasons ago, but following a poor showing at last year's Cheltenham Festival his form has gone the wrong way. He would need to bounce back here. Phillip Hobbs & Johnson White's mare Georgi Girl made a good start to this season at Warwick where she sprinted away from her rivals at a lower level and wasn't disgraced when a close up fifth at Cheltenham a month ago. The Paul Nicholls-trained Ivaldi was a very easy winner at this course in April 2023, but missed a whole chunk of time with a setback. He looked in need of the run on his comeback behind Impose Toi at Newbury and needed to make up for lost time. The six year old Jipcot has been frustrating at times, but showed how good he can be last time out by winning a Newbury handicap very easily for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable. Spirit d'Aunou enjoyed a very good start to his hurdling career by winning five of his first seven starts for the Gary & Josh Moore stable. Since then, he has shown mixed form but is capable when on song. Owners Heart Of The South Racing would have a second live chance with Harry Derham's Court In The Act. The six year old has just one bad run over hurdles so far and showed he had the scope to rank even higher with a dominant win at Market Rasen in October. Herbiers maintained a good level of ability for a long time and has won over hurdles and fences. Following an absence, he has looked rusty in two starts this season for the Josh Guerrierro & Oliver Greenall yard. An up and comer in the field would be the six year old Navajo Indy, trained by Tom Symonds. He has a likeable profile with three wins on the bounce, most recently the Gerry Fielden Handicap at Newbury. The Ben Pauling-trained Samuel Spade lined up here having shown much better form recently than in the past. The six year old has finished in the placings in all three runs this season and lined up here with a light weight. Another six year old in the field would be Wilful for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable. The novice has won three times by spectacular margins, but his winning run came to an end last time when trying handicap company for the first time. Titan Discovery won for the first at this venue thirteen months ago and added a second win at the start of 2024. Robert Llewellyn's seven year old remains lightly raced and finished just out of the frame at Chepstow last time out in October. The mare Aston Martini held an engagement in the Grade Two contest, but trainer Nicky Henderson opted for this slightly easier task. She would produce her only bad run last time out at Newbury when never featuring. The formerly German based Lario has started to get his act together over hurdles and remains lightly raced in this discipline for Harry Derham. The six year old could only manage third at Sandown when last seen in November. The Henry Daly-trained Bowenspark looked a bright hurdling prospect following a Grade Two fourth in a bumper at Aintree in 2023. Since then, his form has been mixed and was bogged down at Haydock last time out. Patriotik has been a regular in Wales and won for the only time at Ffos Las in early 2024. Since then, the seven year old has posted good efforts with midfield finishes in valuable handicaps. Tom Lacey's Dibble Decker held the option of the handicap chase earlier in the card, but stayed over hurdles this time around. The nine year old still has relatively few miles on the clock for his age. Moveit Like Minnie is a talented sort and took well to fences at the start of the season by winning at Stratford. Since then, the eight year old ran out twice in a row over fences and reverted to hurdles last time out. He produced a much better showing when fourth here before Christmas. An unexposed lurker at the foot of the weights would be Chris Gordon-trained Illegal d'Ainay. The seven year old placed twice in point to points but has shown enough speed over two miles. He also finished second here on his only visit in November. Typhoon Flyer began his career in Ireland before moving to the Richard Newland & Jamie Insole yard last season. The seven year old has finished in the first three in all starts under rules and was a wide margin winner two starts ago. Last time out saw a good third over two miles at this venue. Completing the lineup would the five year old Soigneux Bell. The formerly French-trained gelding hasn't been seen since January 2024, but won by wide margin last season for the Gary & Josh Moore stable.

Winner:

Race Six: The BetMGM Clarence House Chase - Grade One - Two Miles - Runners: 

The feature race would see an all time classic line up for the first Grade One race in Britain for 2025. The Clarence House Chase has been a staple on the calendar since its first running in 1989, won by the much loved Desert Orchid. In its long history, Champion Chase winners Viking Flagship and Call Equiname can also call themselves former winners of the race. In more recent times, some of the greatest two mile chasers have picked up the prize, such as Altior, Sprinter Sacre, Master Minded and three time winner Un De Sceaux. 2022 would see an almighty battle on this course as Shishkin rallied late on to grab victory on the line. 2023 and 2024's runnings took place at Cheltenham and saw minor upsets take place as Editeur du Gite and Elixir du Nutz landed high profile victories.

2025 saw the race return to its usual home and the biggest names in the two mile division lined up in battle. Harry Fry's Boothill is no slouch and has won three times at Ascot in the past, albeit at handicap level. The ten year old made Jonbon pull out the stops at Cheltenham in November, but fell when ready to strike at Kempton last month. Eleven year old Edwardstone is a former Arkle, Tingle Creek and Game Spirit Chase winner for Alan King, but has often fallen short against the very best. He fell at the halfway stage in this season's Tingle Creek and then gave away two stone to the winner when finishing second in a handicap at Kempton's Christmas meeting. Energumene would return to the scene of his epic battle in 2022 where he led all the way until the line. Willie Mullins's star chaser landed the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2022 and 2023, but missed the entirety of last season with injury. He would make a very impressive return to action at Cork last month to set up a first time battle with Nicky Henderson's Jonbon. The mercurial nine year old has enjoyed a brilliant career to date, despite a shock reversal in last year's running at Cheltenham. The highest rated chaser in Britain lined up for this epic duel on the back of a classy success in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. With prize money distributed down to sixth place, the remaining two runners would receive a healthy bonus for completing the course. First of those would be the rapidly improving Libberty Hunter for the Evan Williams stable. The nine year old ended last season with a third at Grade One level before returning with a smooth handicap win at Cheltenham. This would be a good guide to his ceiling. The final runner of the sextet would be Dan Skelton's grey Unexpected Party, who bolted up in the handicap hurdle on this card in 2022. The ten year old was shrewdly campaigned to win the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham, beating Libberty Hunter in the process. With low key efforts so far, it appears the Festival is the main focus again this year. 

Winner: 

Race Seven: The BetMGM EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle - Class Three - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners:

As the excitement of a dramatic Clarence House Chase lingered in the air and as the headlines were getting typed to print, there would be the small matter of the closing race on the card. Just like in the opener, the finale would be a glimpse of the future with a novice hurdle featuring some potentially smart types for the years ahead. The two and a half mile contest was won by Gary Moore's Jerrash in 2022. Although Jerrash went on to win over fences a few seasons later, those placed behind him achieved more. The trio of Complete Unknow, Galia des Liteaux and Monbeg Genius completed the frame that day but have all gone on to feature in high profile staying handicap chases recently.

With that being said, there would be plenty of notebooks open and ready to take note of this year's line up. The card was headed by the Rebecca Curtis-trained Ben Solo, a six year old who won on his first start this season and has shown a liking for softer ground. Alan King's six year old I'm A Lumberjack bumped into some very smart horses earlier in his career, but gained a first career win at the seventh attempt last time out. He would score impressively at Warwick last month and could progress with this confidence boost. Another last time out winner in the line up would be Lucy Wadham's Jax Junior, who showed the benefit of a wind operation to make all the running at Doncaster and win very easily. The Harry Fry-trained Kap Ouest carried the silks of JP McManus and has been progressing with each start. The six year old got off the mark last time out at Exeter and should have a good future. Nicky Henderson would be represented by Kingston Pride, a grey who showed plenty of ability with two wins over hurdles. He produced a poor display at Sandown in December by pulling up when favourite in a Grade Two event. Laurens Bay has finished first or second in his five starts so far and Jamie Snowden's six year old landed his first win last time out. This would be a first attempt at this new trip. Another improver in the lineup would be Paul Nicholls's The Bluesman, who is bred to stay this distance and made a winning seasonal debut at Chepstow over a furlong shorter. The Joe Tizzard-trained U Can't Be Serious ran in some competitive bumpers last season, including at Ascot, but had to wait for a first win. That would come over hurdles last time out at Taunton where he came home clear at the end of 2024. A second runner for Nicky Henderson would be As The Fella Says, winner of a point-to-point. This season has seen the six year old turned over at short odds, firstly to I'm A Lumberjack and secondly at Exeter earlier in the week. Another former winner between the flags would be Copper Jack, trained by Anthony Charlton. The six year old made a low key debut over hurdles and was well beaten in a stronger event over course and distance last time out. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill would saddle their talented yet slightly unlucky Country Park. The six year old finished second at Cheltenham two starts ago and travelled powerfully into a threatening position over course and distance last time, only to fall two hurdles out. This would be a good chance of gaining compensation. Minella Kaiser graduated from the John Nallen academy so should make a good longer term prospect. He could only manage a well beaten fourth on debut for Chris Gordon last month. The five year old Stone's Throw won in the style of a useful prospect in May last year before moving to the Billy Aprahamian stable. His two starts over hurdles this year have seen him finish in the frame over the minimum trip. The field would be completed by Emma Lavelle's The Long Point, another to make a winning debut under rules in a bumper, but he has failed to prove he stays this trip in two starts this season.

Winner: