David Pipe looks to have laid out Ashkazar to win the race named in honour of his father and he is potentially thrown in on his best form.
The 2008 Imperial Cup winner was once rated 156 over hurdles and is now back down to a rating of 136 - just 1lb above his win in the vaulable Sandown handicap.
He has caught the eye on numerous occasions this season without triubling the judge, noine more so than when finishing a never nearer eighth to Beshabar at Ascot last time out.
Held up at the rear of the field he made steady late headway to under a tender ride to finish full of running and was beaten just over 10 lengths at the line.
That run suggested that he was being laid out to win this race, and the fact that he is the sole Pipe representative in the race speaks volumes.
Hadden Frost, who was seen to such good effect when partnering Buena Vista to victory in yesterday's Pertemps Final, takes a further 3lb off his back and Ashkazar could easily outclass this lot if back to his best.
Another plus factor is the terrific form of the Pipe team at this year's Festival. They saddled a double yesterday and Pipe currently shares top spot in the leading trainer table with Paul Nicholls.
All in all, everything looks in place for a huge run and at 6-1 Ashkazar looks an each-way bet to nothing. For those who like a bit of extra security bet365 go 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5 and offer 11-2.
The biggest danger could by Willie Mullins' lightly raced Cest Ca who ran a cracker to finish a staying on third in the valuable MCR Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Recommended bet: 5pts each-way Ashkazar (6-1 generally, 11-2 bet365 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5)
