Irish raider Carlito Brigante brings rock solid credentials into the contest and looks the safest bet in a wide open contest.
Gordon Elliott's charge has won his last three starts over hurdles, and among those victories was an 11 length thrashing of Alaivan at Leopardstown back in December.
Connections of the runner-up were quick to offer excuses for his defeat that day, but to me Carlito was far the better horse and there is no real reason to see the form being turned around.
The selection has since gone on to romp home in a valuable event at Musselburgh, where he had Orsippus 15 lengths back in third.,
That horse franked the form when running a blinder to finsih third to Sanctuaire in Wednesday's Fred Winter and it is very diffcult to pick holes in anything Carlito Brigante has achieved.
He has reportedly improved again since his Musselburgh triumph, and his ability to act on any going and super jumping make him the one they all have to beat. His rider Davy Russell is also in winning form having scored in the RSA on Weapons Amnesty in the same colours earlier in the week
I cannot understand why Alaivan is favourite ahead of the selction, and I will be laying Edward O'Grady's runner who doesn't strike me as the type to fancy the hustle and bustle of the race and needs soft ground to be seen at his best.
Recommended bet: 4pts win Carlito Brigante (9-2 Victor Chandler, Ladbrokes)
