TimeformBlog

Knight Legend is a veteran with plenty of life left, successful in selling hurdle here earlier in the year and last twice in handicap chases at Market Rasen. One of 2 with a chance trained by Sarah Humphrey.

Pilgrims Lane won twice over fences for Milton Harris in May. Shaped as though still in form when fourth at Sandown prior to unseating third at Aintree last time (National fences). Visor replaces cheekpieces.

Nozic was a smart chaser in his prime (for Paul Nicholls), and first sign of promise for Nick Gifford at Chepstow in January. That said, ran as if having a problem on reappearance for this yard last month.

Qrackers racked up a 4-timer in 2008 for Paul Nicholls, but lightly raced and career rather fell apart for Venetia Williams after. Well treated for new stable if they can find the key to him.

Frontier Spirit managed just 1 win over hurdles but already a better chaser, posting career-best to collect at the first time of asking over fences in Ffos Las handicap last month. Looks well worth sticking with.

Harouet was fairly useful over both sets of obstacles for Paul Nicholls, successful for that stable in handicap hurdle when last seen in November 2010. Needs to come back all guns blazing to follow up, though.

Cottage Flyer was fit from success in pointing field when winning 3-finisher maiden here (3m) on chase debut in March. Made mistakes and disappointed later that month and opening mark stiff enough on return.

The Magic Bishop was a dual winning hurdler last season and off the mark over fences at Hexham (2½m) in October. That form working out well and more recent defeat down to a bad blunder 3 out. Makes the shortlist.

Only Vintage is a winning hurdler/chaser who returned to form when winning 21f handicap chase at Folkestone a year ago. Gone to pieces since.

Gorge won 3 times on Flat and once over hurdles in Australia. Tried over timber here to no avail, but switch to fences did the trick in Taunton novice recently. More needed to follow up back handicapping.

Otage de Brion landed 2 novice chases in 2010 for Charlie Longsdon, even so in and out for couple of trainers last season and despite signs of a revival of late his sketchy jumping is always the worry.

Investment Affair won 2 of his last 3 starts, both over C&D (below form at Fontwell in between). Decisive scorer most recent occasion and given certain types thrive round here must enter calculations once again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Frontier Spirit
2. Investment Affair
3. The Magic Bishop

Timeform Verdict: Investment Affair has done well round here of late, but another sharp rise in the weights makes him vulnerable to Frontier Spirit, who took readily to fences when scoring on his chase debut last time. The Magic Bishop completes the shortlist.

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