Today’s Top Tips

YOU DID KNOW

Chris Gordon boasts a respectable 21% strike-rate (£10.86 level-stakes profit) with his chasers at this venue. He saddles leading hope Blame The Game in the feature contest at 3.00 this afternoon.

1 RACE

STAGE STAR was impressive on his chase debut at Warwick in November, putting behind him a couple of lacklustre efforts in Grade 1 novice hurdles in the spring. Paul Nicholls’ charge was beaten at cramped odds last time out at Newbury in Grade 2 company but has been given time to get over those exertions. Mortlach went well for a long way in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and is good enough to make a race of it. WIN: STAGE STAR; DANGER: Mortlach

2 RACE

MASTER CHEWY may have bumped into a useful prospect when finishing second at Cheltenham last time and a reproduction of that level of form could be good enough to win this contest. That said, Hansard is an obvious threat following his Huntingdon victory but he does have to carry a penalty as a result. Others who make the shortlist are Prince Imperial and Dame Prestige. WIN: MASTER CHEWY; DANGER: Hansard

3 RACE

TWINJETS bounced back to form when getting off the mark over hurdles at Leicester a month ago and the six-year-old is clearly the one to beat this afternoon. Haston Clermont showed plenty of promise in a Chepstow bumper and it would be no surprise to see him go well on his hurdling bow. Hilltown should not be underestimated, while Twin Power could also go well. WIN: TWINJETS; DANGER: Haston Clermont

DOIREANN remains a maiden, but she was only narrowly denied on her seasonal return at Fakenham in November and a 2lb rise may not be enough to stop her from getting off the mark here. Getaway Tom has shown promise in novice hurdles and has to be of some interest on his handicap bow, while similar comments apply to Wind Of Fortune. Pawpaw was third on his latest outing over obstacles and he completes the shortlist. WIN: DOIREANN; DANGER: Getaway Tom

4 RACE

5 RACE

TIP TOP MOUNTAIN won this by a short-head last year and although he is 10lb higher this time around, he arrives after a win at Fontwell on his return to action and remains open to improvement. En Coeur is an obvious threat having raced nine times here over fences with a top three finish in all of them, while Sublime Heights is interesting wearing blinkers after racing lazily at Southwell. WIN: TIP TOP MOUNTAIN; DANGER: En Coeur

Recent rain will make sure this is a true test of stamina and with BLAME THE GAME running on well over three and a quarter miles at Doncaster in late November, this could suit the eightyear-old, who also has winning form here. Pemberley was second in this contest last year off 1lb higher and has to make the shortlist, with his Lingfield second a promising return. Atakan and Grace A Vous Enki are others to consider. WIN: BLAME THE GAME; DANGER: Pemberley

6 RACE

7 RACE

Mr Freedom won here in September and he could bounce back after struggling in Grade 2 company last time. He can go well, along with the consistent El Muchacho, who makes his handicap debut off a mark of 104 with improvement likely. However, they may both struggle to cope with PILSDON PEN, a winner at Exeter in November on his return and an added 4lb may not stop him following up. WIN: PILSDON PEN; DANGER: Mr Freedom

PLACEPOT

toteplacepot suggestions: (1) 2 (2) 5 & 1 (3) 2 & 5 (4) 8 & 4 (5) 4 & 8 (6) 9 & 7