A hugely competitive renewal of the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase at Newbury on Saturday demands a pop at a long-shot and WALT could be the answer.

Despite residing towards the bottom of the weights, the Neil Mulholland-trained gelding is no stranger to big-race success having taken the 888Sport Handicap Chase at Kempton (3m) last February off just a 4lb lower mark.

On his previous start, Walt showed he was on the upgrade when failing by a neck on this course to hold off De Rasher Counter, who has been popular in the ante-post markets for this race yet now renews rivalry on 6lb worse terms.

Moreover, James Best's mount comes here in good form after a battling win at Taunton (for which he picks up a 5lb penalty) where he fought on gamely to beat Brother Tedd who could be well handicapped over fences.

With the Mulholland team running at nearly one winner for every four runners in the past fortnight, Walt looks significantly under-estimated in the market at four times the price of De Rasher Counter who was well beaten on his hurdling reappearance.

Some of the shorter-priced runners have a few questions to answer; top weight Elegant Escape (with blinkers fitted for the first time) was beaten ten lengths by Sizing Tennessee twelve months ago off a 5lb lower mark, Ok Corral's two chase wins last season came in small fields before he was pulled up at Cheltenham and, even allowing for the difference in Anglo/Irish handicap ratings, Cabaret Queen needs to have improved markedly for Willie Mullins if she is to follow up her Munster National win off 20lb higher.

And Mister Malarky now wears cheek-pieces for the first time after a lacklustre seasonal debut at Ascot.