Verdict

Some very decent hunter chasers have won this down the years and this season's renewal looks well up to standard. Bradley has to go on the short-list as he won a handicap over 3m4f at Haydock last month before only finding a rejuvenated Ashkazar too strong over C&D 13 days ago. Soft going was clearly no problem that day and Fergal O'Brien's eight-year-old makes more appeal than veterans Offshore Account and That's Rhythm. Keenan's Future was fourth in the Fox Hunters' at Aintree but had earlier finished behind TURKO and Bradley here at The Festival. Lucia Borradaile's grey proved his stamina that day and was an easy winner at Newton Abbot subsequently so gets the nod as Palypso De Creek and Trifollet look to have a bit to find at the weights.

Formwatch

Bradley 6-4fav (11-1) Held up on outside, went 3rd before 4th, led 13th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, eased when beaten close home, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ashkazar (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Apr.

Keenan's Future (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Mid-division on outside, headway when hampered 14th, chased leading pair before last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, held when lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 26, 7l behind Cloudy Lane (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr.

Turko (FR) Evensfav (11-11) Led until 4th, pressed leader, led approaching 15th, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well (no time taken), won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) gd in Apr beating Coombe Hill (11-13) by 12l, 8 ran.

Offshore Account (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 9th, in a race won by Cloudy Lane (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs in Apr, 26 ran.

That's Rhythm (FR) 10-11fav (11-7) Always prominent, led 10th, clear 3 out until last, shaken up and asserted to go clear again flat, won at Bangor 3m hts chs (6) gs in Apr beating Pistolet Time (12-1) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.

Palypso De Creek (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Ap; led 9; stayed on wl, won at Sandon 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Mad Victor (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.

Trifollet 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, every chance approaching last, led flat, ran on well (2 fences ommited), won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gs in Apr beating Montauk Highway (11-7) by 6l, 12 ran.