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Secret Reprieve was up against it defending his Welsh National title without a prep run, but he can feel the benefit of that outing in the William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock.
Evan Williams' charge was a three-length winner of the 2020 renewal of the Chepstow feature – albeit run in January 2021 due to the weather – but the eight-year-old had been off the track until returning in search of a second victory in the Christmas marathon.
Racing off a 6lb higher mark, he looked a real threat at one point before dropping away to finish fifth behind Iwilldoit, with his lack of match practice appearing to be a crucial factor.
The handicapper has dropped him 2lb for that effort and with that under his belt, plus conditions to suit, Secret Reprieve can take full advantage.
It will be disappointing if Porticello cannot set the seal on his Cheltenham preparations with victory in the William Hill Super Odds Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.
He is the leading home-trained hope for the Triumph Hurdle after a comfortable eight-and-a-half-length verdict in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow over Christmas.
Gary Moore's runner relishes cut in the ground and the conditions of the race put him at a distinct advantage.
Thomas Darby should face an easier task than last time out in the William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle.
Olly Murphy's charge had to settle for fourth in the Long Walk at Ascot in December, beaten eight and a half lengths by three top stayers in Champ, Thyme Hill and Paisley Park – with the latter just collaring him for third on the run to the line.
Thomas Darby had previously impressed in winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, where a tongue tie seemingly made all the difference as he made amends for a previous disappointing effort at Wetherby.
With the breathing aid applied, Thomas Darby is seemingly back on form and while heavy ground is probably not his favourite, he has at least won on it before.
Grade One action is on offer at Ascot, with the admirable Dashel Drasher taken to retain his crown in the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Jeremy Scott's charge absolutely thrives at the Berkshire track, with his five runs yielding four victories – including his breakthrough Grade One triumph in this contest a year ago.
He did not run again until tackling the reopposing Lostintranslation here in November, when a 273-day appeared to leave him in need of the outing against a rival who was back to somewhere near his best on the day but has disappointed since.
Although having to settle for third, Dashel Drasher has since gone on to win a Newbury handicap hurdle and just fell short stepped up in trip for the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield's Winter Million fixture.
Back to his favoured track and distance now, he can give another good account in what is a competitive renewal if not a vintage one.
Doyen Breed ran into a smart one in Threeunderthrufive when last seen, staying on for second in a Grade Two at Warwick.
He sticks to that level for the Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase and must be one for the shortlist on the basis of that three-and-a-half-length defeat.
Goshen returned to winning ways last time and get the better of what looks like a two-horse race with Adagio in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
The Moore-trained six-year-old pick is top on ratings and after his recent Kempton stroll it has become very apparent that a right-handed track is crucial to this runner.
He won this race in great style last year and while Adagio is a classy adversary, his lack of a recent run seems to hand the advantage to Goshen.
Oceania Legend stands out as one of the best bets on the all-weather card at Newcastle, where he goes in the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Novice Stakes.
He really caught the eye in accounting for a couple of Godolphin runners here last month and could make up into something quite nice as the year goes on.
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 1.15 Skytastic, 1.50 Doyen Breed, 2.25 Caribean Boy, 3.00 Cap Du Mathan, 3.38 Dashel Drasher, 4.10 Guerlain De Vaux, 4.45 Missed Vacation.
GOWRAN: 1.45 Flyin Hawaiian, 2.20 Saldier, 2.55 Banks Boy, 3.30 Melon, 4.05 Rightful Mind, 4.40 Brandy Harbour, 5.15 Jenny Flex.
HAYDOCK: 1.00 Keep Rolling, 1.30 Porticello, 2.05 Thomas Darby, 2.40 SECRET REPRIEVE (NAP), 3.15 Bushypark, 3.50 Hillcrest, 4.25 Bob And Co.
LINGFIELD: 12.50 Addingham, 1.25 State Legend, 2.00 Sir Joseph Swan, 2.35 Miss Sligo, 3.10 Chrysos, 3.45 Protected Guest, 4.20 Shoot To Kill, 4.55 Jack Ryan.
NEWCASTLE: 5.00 Ghostly, 5.30 Oceania Legend, 6.00 Yaahobby, 6.30 Odd Socks Havana, 7.00 Won Love, 7.30 Tantastic.
WINCANTON: 1.38 Grivetana, 2.13 Native Robin, 2.48 Max Dynamo, 3.20 Goshen, 3.58 Mr Glass, 4.33 Ask Me Early, 5.05 Walk Away Now.
DOUBLE: Secret Reprieve and Porticello.