HAITI COULEURS (3.00) is fancied to land the £200,000 Betfair Chase for the Rebecca Curtis and Sean Bowen combination.
The eight-year-old is his trainer’s best horse for some time and it is hoped he could soon be appearing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He will have to show up on Merseyside to be a real contender, but it is doubtful he has as much to find with favourite Grey Dawning as ratings imply.
A dour stayer, Haiti Couleurs kept up the gallop in the National Hunt Chase and can give Curtis her first Grade One winner since 2020.
Handstands is respected for Ben Pauling’s team, although he will have to jump better to really threaten the top two.
Up 9lb for an eye-catching success at Cheltenham last month, Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle fancy MA SHANTOU (2.25, trb) is tipped to maintain his progression.
The 140-rated KABRAL DU MATHAN (1.15) did extremely well as a four-year-old, going close in three valuable handicaps and Dan Skelton will be keen to make a winning start for new connections.
Co-trainer Sue Smith took the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase in 2018 with Vintage Clouds and KONFUSION (3.35, Nap) is her latest representative.
Possibly over the top on his last run of his first season over fences, he had plenty in hand on his Class Four comeback and this progressive, bold jumper looks capable of holding his own in a higher grade.
At Ascot, GIDLEIGH PARK (1.30) is back in the Grade Two Ladbrokes 1965 Chase, having been ready to contest the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter earlier this month.
Running right-handed, the son of Walk In The Park has some excellent form with Impaire Et Passe and Caldwell Potter from 2025, despite a couple of setbacks.
Those efforts show just how classy he is and a clearer run can help him reach his full potential.