This is a deep, strongly-run handicap with 15 runners and a clear pace angle. The early map suggests a very strong gallop with multiple pace pressers — Rightsotom, American Sniper, and Typhoon Flyer all likely to ensure no hiding places. The setup screams for a closer or stalker with stamina and class, and some familiar Festival faces return to pick up the pieces.

🔥 Strongest Contender – East India Express (Nicky Henderson)

✅ TimeWise Top-Rated
✅ Proven Cheltenham form
✅ Fared best of front-runners in the Martin Pipe at the Festival
✅ Returns to slightly shorter trip — ideal
🧠 Timeform says: “Resumed from an 11-week break still in top form… faring best of those ridden prominently in a big field.”
💡 Who’s Trying? Absolutely — this is a clear Go Day. Second run back, Henderson targets spring handicaps like a laser, and this horse is well-handicapped off 129 if you rate that Martin Pipe 7th literally. Freddie Gordon takes a useful 3lbs off too.

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⚠️ Main Dangers

🟡 Typhoon Flyer (Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole)

• On fire at Haydock last time, sauntered home by 15L off 114 — now up to 120
• Well-related and has more to offer over this trip
• 💡 Go Day? Yes — lightly raced improver from a yard who won this in 2019 with Le Patriote
• Will be on the speed — can he control the race or get burnt up?
  🧠 Timeform: “Quickened clear 2 out, jumping accurately…” — that kind of efficiency can carry him deep.

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🟡 Spirits Bay (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

• Hold-up closer who wants a strong pace — he gets it here
• Eyecatcher in the Imperial Cup, traded short but didn’t get the breaks
• Timeform points out he “traded at less than half BSP when beaten last time” — tells a story
  💡 Today could be the day if he gets rhythm; mark of 124 still fair.

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🟡 Ballytechno (James Owen)

• Solid profile – top sectionals when 3rd at Kelso; best of closers
• Has been brought along quietly this season and connections are flying
• Watch jockey booking too – Callum Pritchard takes 5 off, keeping him well in
  💡 Trying? Looks a setup job – well held up last run, now back in trip with cover expected.

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🟡 Royale Margaux (Tom Symonds)

• Stays strongly, won a Listed hurdle in February
• Weak finisher in stiffer tests, but may plug on into a place here if others collapse
  🧠 Timeform: “Travels strongly held up, but has finished weakly.”
  💡 Might place but not a win threat unless race falls apart.

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🚩 Spotting the “Handbrake Jobs”

• Wilde About Oscar – 66/1, long layoffs, PUs, no signs of life. Safe to say, not today.
• Whatsupwithyou / Disco Annie – Exposed types, better in smaller/softer fields.
• Lossiemouth – On the downgrade and might be out for a spin again before summer targets.

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🧠 Trainer Trends

• 🏆 Dan Skelton – Won this twice in 4 years (Doyen Quest ’24, Proschema ’21)
• 🏆 Dr Richard Newland – Won this in 2019, brings Typhoon Flyer ready to roll
• 📈 James Owen – Hot trainer with a plot horse in Ballytechno
• 🔍 Nicky Henderson – Knows how to prime one for Festival aftershocks — East India Express is no afterthought

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💥 Verdict – TimeWise Summary

🧲 Strongest Contender:

• East India Express – solid prep, proven course form, race sets up beautifully

🔥 Main Dangers:

• Typhoon Flyer – can dominate if not softened up
• Spirits Bay – closer with perfect setup
• Ballytechno – creeping up the ranks, strong late work expected