Matt Brocklebank favours Spitit D'Annou, priced at 20/1 by Coral, Ladbrokes, and Unibet. Nicky Henderson's Luccia, Impose Toi, and Iberico Lord are prominent contenders. Their odds are no higher than 12/1.
Luccia, a promising mare, has maintained good form. She even won the Betfair Exchange Trophy. However, Iberico Lord was a disappointment in the Greatwood Hurdle. Henderson's team is strong. It features other potential runners like First Street, Doddiethegreat, and Under Control. Under Control, at 16/1, could return after a 70-day break, though a quieter approach might be more suitable.
Dan Skelton's L'Eau Du Sud and Blueking D'Oroux are potential contenders. However, Brocklebank emphasizes Spitit D'Annou's strengths. He particularly highlights Spitit D'Annou's recent performance at Sandown. He also praises the horse's adaptability to various ground conditions.
Ben Linfoot suggests First Street as an under-the-radar choice at 25/1. Despite recent setbacks, First Street's past performance at Newbury and a drop in handicap rating make him a compelling choice.
Andrew Asquith highlights Brentford Hope, trained by Harry Derham, with odds of 14/1 by Coral. Despite a recent performance setback, this hurdler has shown promise. They won over the same course and distance, making them a solid bet.
Overall, the experts focus on horses with proven track records. They also consider the potential for improvement and suitability to the race conditions at Newbury.