Gary Moore and Nicky Henderson have been the trainers to focus on and both are well represented. ASKHAZAR gets our vote though, Psycho has sound each-way claims and Belcantista has to be feared given the ante-post support that he received ahead of his last race and for this one. Ashkazar has it to prove having returned a well beaten favourite for a similar handicap at Ascot on his one and only start this season. Last year saw him go from strength to strength and culminated with his second in the Fred Winter to Crack Away Jack but he appeared to have the scope to fare even better this term. Ashkazar certainly has the ability to win a valuable prize from this mark if back to his best form and it's worth taking that chance with his yard back amongst the winners and it's worth remembering that Punjabi was second last year from a mark of a hundred and fifty. Psycho looked an unlucky loser of the County Hurdle and of the Pierse Hurdle on his latest start. Two such defeats may not be down to misfortune and his mark is rising as a result but he still looks capable of making his presence felt though is clearly not easy to produce on the line. Belcantista came close to pulling off a coup at Ascot and could be leniently treated from just a 7lb higher mark. His trainer also has form in this race and this unexposed gelding could turn out to be a blot on the handicap. He's had only two runs in this country but has plenty of experience in France and has plenty in his favour. He's challenging long time ante-post favourite Numide for favouritism and Gary Moore's runner owes his position at the head of the market to his form as well as to his handler's record. His defeat of Aigle D'Or is right up there in terms of the form on offer and he may well have finished in front of Belcantista at Ascot but for a mistake at the last; he's 2lbs better off and will be more at home on this ground. Stellino is the pick of Barry Geraghty but has an almighty amount to prove whilst Working Title doesn't appear to have lived up to hope and expectations. Songe was third at Ascot and shouldn't be dismissed by each-way backers despite his welter burden although it will probably be his undoing. Wingman proved that those at fancy prices shouldn't be ignored and Khyber Kim and Helens Vision are two names that we'd throw in at a price ahead of half a dozen horses with claims at shorter prices. Helens Vision could get the run of the race out in front but will be there to be shot at. Khyber Kim has been held in high regard by both his previous and current trainer; he has run his best races over hurdles at this track and could get into the shake-up if the blinkers have the desired effect. His price does reflect his chance though as does the selection's following his poor reappearance and we'll take Ashkazar to run a big race and book his spot in the Champion Hurdle.
