14:00 Warwick

An excellent novice chase in store with the vote going to the Alan King-trained EDWARDSTONE (best price 7-4) who is clear of these on official ratings and has the ability to outclass these if able to put in a clear round on seasonal debut. 

The seven-year-old is a smart and reliable hurdler who confirmed his credentials as a battle-hardened top-quality handicapper last term having produced good efforts when third in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and fifth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, too. He hasn’t done a lot wrong in his career and let’s not forget, he was sixth in a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, too. He signed off the last campaign with an excellent third in a Grade 3 at Aintree and, having gone well fresh previously, Alan King’s smart performer is fancied to emerge on top at the expense of King Roland. 

Edwardstone - 1pt @ 7/4

15:05 Warwick

REPUBLICAN (best 7-2) might have been winless last term but that doesn't do him justice in the slightest as he looked the most likely winner when crashing out at the final hurdle in a handicap hurdle at Perth in April and is fancied to gain compensation on return to chasing from an exploitable mark for connections. 

He confirmed his stamina for three-miles on his penultimate outing as he tried valiantly up the run-in to finish only one-length behind a couple of 133-rated individuals and that was in a much better grade. He is extremely well treated on last year’s evidence in which he finished an excellent sixth in a Grade 3 back in March 2020 on handicap debut from a mark of 124 and is three-pound lower here. He returns to chasing as a low-mileage sort and takes a drop in grade too so, with a clear round, Johnny Burke should be able to guide him to the winner’s enclosure against mostly inconsistent rivals.

Republican - 1pt @ 7/2