Adrian Heskin: Everything looks set for him to run well
O Maonlai
He finished second in this race in 2015 and went one better for me in some style last season when winning by 5 lengths, and the form of that victory worked out very well. He didn’t reproduce that form in three subsequent starts but at least he is now only 6lb higher here, and all of his best form has been at this track. He also goes very well when fresh – his win and a second in this race came first time out – and I imagine Tom has had this race in mind for him for a while. I hope he has anyway!
Singlefarmpayment
We were very pleased with his comeback second at Cheltenham, where he travelled nicely and just bumped into a good one on the day in the shape of the improving Cogry. Ideally, he would prefer good ground, but he has won on heavy in the past and I expect this to be lovely jumping ground anyway. We would hope and expect the Cheltenham run to have brought him on, and I guess we have had this race in mind for him ever since he was just touched off the Festival. This is obviously a very competitive race, as you’d expect, but everything looks set for him to run well. I’d be hopeful, if not confident.
Baby King
He got up late for me at Aintree last time, where we were obviously delighted with him. And a 3lb rise for that victory is pretty much what you would expect. He loves a truly-run two miles with a bit of cut in the ground, which is what he will hopefully get here, and there should be more improvement to come from him on only his fourth chase start. In fact, he should probably be coming here unbeaten over fences, as I thought he would have won when falling at Market Rasen in May.
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