At The Races

CAMPROND arrives on the back of a career-best performance when triumphing in the Persian War and sets the standard. The son of Lope De Vega finished that race off well and could prove too strong again in the closing stages here. Gordon Elliott saddles recent Downpatrick scorer Mars Harper, who took a while to secure that second hurdling victory but showed an admirable level of consistency in between. All Clenched Up and Bannixtown Boy have a mountain to climb on form, with the former most likely to pick up third spot.

• Top Tip: CAMPROND (1)
• Watch out for: MARS HARPER (2)

FIDELIO VALLIS arrives in a rich vein of form, having won four of his six starts over fences, and the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old can add another victory to his tally. He gets the nod, while the unexposed Any News rates the most immediate danger after showing plenty of promising signs on his chase debut last month. Third Time Lucki returns from a wind operation on his first outing over the larger obstacles and he completes the shortlist.

• Top Tip: FIDELIO VALLIS (1)
• Watch out for: ANY NEWS (3)

CALAGOGO is in pursuit of a fourth successive victory and it would take a useful performance to stop him achieving that feat. The lightly-raced five-year-old showed a determined attitude to land the spoils last time out and if his jumping can improve, he rates the one to beat. Dragon Bones has been taking big steps in the right direction and he may have the ability to mount a bold bid, while Onagatheringstorm is another to consider.

• Top Tip: CALAGOGO (2)
• Watch out for: DRAGON BONES (5)

Faivoir did it well enough when scoring on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter and as that was his first start since wind surgery, there is every chance he will improve again here. Annual Invictus was less than three lengths adrift in second that day and is 8lb better off now, suggesting he will also have a huge say in the finish, but a chance is taken on DANNY KIRWAN. Described as a chaser in the making by trainer Paul Nicholls, he gets weight from three of his rivals here and he may be able to take full advantage.

• Top Tip: DANNY KIRWAN (4)
• Watch out for: FAIVOIR (1)

Top-weight Guard Your Dreams arrives with the best form after a third-placed effort in the Mersey Hurdle at Aintree in April and represents a stable in good heart, but weight is a great leveller and he may have to settle for a place here. ART APPROVAL ran on well to score at Exeter in April in a similar race and an added 3lb from the handicapper looks pretty generous. If the added three furlongs now brings about further improvement, he may go close, leaving possible front runner Found On as the alternative choice for the places.

• Top Tip: ART APPROVAL (8)
• Watch out for: GUARD YOUR DREAMS (1)

JEAN GENIE shaped with plenty of promise on his seasonal bow at Chepstow when recording a third-placed finish. The five-year-old gelding remains on the same mark and he could be open to further improvement at this distance. Bermeo is now rated 13lb higher than when landing this prize last season but he can go well fresh, while Carnet De Stage, Debden Bank and Super Citizen also make the shortlist in an open contest.

• Top Tip: JEAN GENIE (11)
• Watch out for: CARNET DE STAGE (12)

TOP BANDIT posted an encouraging third-placed effort on his hurdle debut at Limerick earlier this month. The son of Kayf Tara has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and he should be suited by this longer trip. Cirque Royal has displayed promise at Gowran Park and Perth and he looks to be the chief threat, while Cardano is an interesting candidate on his first start over obstacles after some promising displays on the Flat.

• Top Tip: TOP BANDIT (12)
• Watch out for: CIRQUE ROYAL (5)