The ground at Stratford is likely to be on the soft side of good for this afternoon's jumps card and there might be more to come from What A Good Night (1.40) who won first time out last season and might still be well handicapped despite running from a mark 33lbs higher than when scoring at Uttoxeter 12 months ago.
It looked as if African Gold (3.40) had the world at his feet over fences having finished runner up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March 2013 but he never got his act together over fences in three starts over the larger obstacles and must return from a 656 day lay-off this afternoon. This 2m 3f trip should suit and he is built to carry weight.
The handicapper has certainly given him a chance off a mark of 133 and it should be noted that the 7-year-old has been given entries for both the Paddy Power and Hennessy Gold Cups. He remains a horse of real potential and his excellent handler (Nigel Twiston-Davies) can get them ready at home; he is currently 40/1 at BetVictor for the Paddy Power and might need to win to get into the race.
If you are thinking of leaving before the last to beat the traffic then don't! Mr Mix makes his British debut for Paul Nicholls having finished third at Auteuil last September in a listed contest but Charbel (4.10) is a most exciting recruit to the yard of Kim Bailey and gets the vote.
The selection cost 280,000 Euros at Goffs Sales back in April having previously won two Limerick Bumpers for Thomas Mullins in Ireland. His only defeat came at Punchestown in the Champion Bumper when fourth to Bellshill and he is an exciting recruit.
The Durham National is the highlight from Sedgefield and the 2013 & 14 winners Lackamon and Royale Knight are back for another crack at this decent prize. Royale Knight finished sixth in the Aintree National but is 12lbs higher than when successful last year and meets Lackamon on 19lbs better terms than last year.
Both previous winners have leading chances but Woodford County (3.00) finished third in the Eider at Newcastle last season and first time out might be the time to catch him. Any further rain would not be a concern with his good conditional taking off a valuable 7lbs.
The hope is that Apache Pilot (3.30) will have blown away the cobwebs here over timber earlier in the month and be cherry-ripe for his return to the larger obstacles. Trained by Maurice Barnes he ran some very good races in defeat last season and although he starts this term over fences off a mark 17lbs higher than last campaign he remains open to further improvement.
The winning pointer Camillas Wish makes the journey from across the Irish Sea and would be worth noting to see if the market speaks in her favour with Brian Hughes taking the ride.
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