Arguably the most competitive race of the whole meeting and a host of major punts usually unfold on the morning of the race.
Those backed are usually the ones to concentrate on as the stats reveal that 32 of the last 35 runnings have been won by horses starting at no bigger than 16-1.
Those that have finished in the first four last time out also have an excellent record, as do five-year-olds who have won seven of the last 11 renewals.
The Irish usually have a couple of “dark horses” laid out, and Tony Martin nearly pulled off a monster gamble with Psycho in 2008 when the horse narrowly failed to get up and beat 50-1 outsider Silver Jaro having been given far too much and making up around 10 lengths after the last.
Anything he saddles is always worth a second look.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has the best record in the race in recent years having saddled three winners in the last seven runnings.
