Betfred 'Hat Trick Heaven' Walrus Open Hunters' Chase

Former decent Nicky Henderson-trained chaser who won at Aintree (3m1f, good) in both 2014 and 2015 from marks of 137 and 145 respectively. Not managed to add to that in six starts since, but put together a nice enough performance over 2m4f at Ludlow when switched to this sphere for new yard last time and now stepped back up in trip he should again be in the money.

Multiple hunter chase winner, including the last two renewals of this contest when the going has been described as soft and then heavy. Very likely to have needed the race at his age when runner-up to Grand Vision on his reappearance at Warwick last time (3m, soft) and likely to be ready for this hat-trick attempt. Slight concern over the stable's recent form.

Another grand veteran who has won 13 times, though isn't as good as some of these and has a few lengths to find with Pearlysteps on their Warwick running last month.

Grade Two novices' chase winner in 2013 and rated 159 when at his best, he is still officially only 6lb lower than that now and that puts him streets ahead of the opposition. Unsurprisingly, he made a successful switch to this sphere when justifying 1/2 favouritism at Musselburgh (3m2f, good) earlier in the month. Not ground dependent and should have far too much class for this field. Holds a Grand National entry.

Multiple point-to-point winner who scored for the only time under rules at Hexham in June (3m, good to soft). Even so, looks likely to be way outclassed by a few of these.

Comes here on the back of a point-to-point win last time and was rated in the 120s a couple of years ago, but a shadow of that performer now and cannot be fancied against this opposition.

Five of his six career wins came when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and rated 143 at his best, but found life tough since and has added just one further win which came here (3m, soft, from a mark of 130) when handled by David Bridgwater. Will undoubtedly find a race at some point in this sphere, but hard to see that being today.

Five-times point-to-point winner in Ireland and Britain, though that is where the positives end for this veteran as far as this race is concerned. Looks out of his depth here.