The free-going MATATA is an exciting recruit for chasing. He ran out an impressive winner over hurdles on penultimate start before acquitting himself well in defeat when midfield in a Grade 1 at Aintree on final start. He is still armed with a lot of potential now jumping a fence and could make a winning start here. Probably at the main expense of Manorbank who was also progressive over timber.

A mile in soft ground looks just what KATHABK needs and I thought there was enough encouragement in that length defeat at Kempton last month to suggest he is the one to beat off this mark. His wins at Ripon and Haydock were promising and he should have more to come yet. Thunder Ball was denied just a nose on penultimate start and was handed a stiff task at Newmarket latest so could be the danger.