'All three of them are capable of running blinders' - Chris Gordon back with strong hand in William Hill Hurdle

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Chris Gordon enjoyed a big payday with Aucunrisque in this race two years ago and this year's challenge comprises the previous winner and two other big handicap scorers.

Aucunrisque is well treated in his bid to reclaim his crown as he is now racing off 5lb lower and receives Freddie Gingell's 3lb claim, while the Gordon stable's hand is strengthened by Our Champ and King William Rufus. The trio have all advertised their wellbeing this season by scoring at Ascot.

"The Gordons are well represented because my son rides last year's winner for Nicky Henderson as well," the trainer said. "We could do with the rain staying away because my three are all better-ground horses, but they're in good order.

"If the heaters came out overnight I'd say my number one would be Aucunrisque, but the way the ground is it could be more like King William Rufus. I think all three of them are capable of running blinders."

Last year's seventh Our Champ is the shortest price of the Gordon runners but is 12lb higher than when finishing seventh a year ago, while King William Rufus had to contest with a similar-sized rise for winning by six lengths in December.

Gordon added: "It's been the plan for Our Champ and Aucunrisque for a while because of what they're rated and Our Champ ran a blinder last year on not great ground.

"It was more of a secondary thought for King William Rufus because he was crucified by the handicapper for his win at Ascot, but I've got a good claimer on board in Charlie Maggs and you've got to go for it if you get in."

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What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Iberico Lord and Joyeuse
Iberico Lord won it last year and he's in good form, but they're both at opposite ends of the handicap. Joyeuse is at the bottom and Iberico Lord is at the top. We don't know who's at the right end, but Joyeuse is in good form and came out of Cheltenham well.

Tom Cannon, rider of Favour And Fortune
He's only 2lb higher than when he won the Scottish Champion Hurdle and Newbury should suit him. He needed the run at Ascot quite badly last time, but we're hoping for a nice run from him and finding out where he is. Hopefully, he's good enough.

Evan Williams, trainer of Minella Missile
His mark is what it is. On his last run in a handicap he's nowhere near a Graded horse, he's a handicapper, so I've got to run him. I had Clyne run very well in the race and he was an out-and-out three miler. If the ground is tough it brings stayers into it. He's got a Stayers' Hurdle entry because the trainer was stupid and thought he was a better horse than he was.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Fiercely Proud
He's in very good order and he came out of Ascot brilliantly. It's been an easier month after that but we've ramped it up these last few weeks and he seems to have taken it in all his stride. I'm looking forward to seeing him improve again and hopefully go close in another valuable hurdle.

Harry Derham, trainer of Washington
Hopefully, they don't get too much rain as it would be a negative for the pair of them. Washington is in good form, he's trained very well for this race and I'm looking forward to it. He's up 10lb since his last win and this is a very competitive race, but I couldn't have him in better nick.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Josh The Boss
The owner likes the race, having won it with Splash Of Ginge, and we've had this in mind for him for a while. As long as it's not too soft he should run well.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Secret Squirrel
We’ve run a couple of fancied horses in this race before in Marble Arch and Not So Sleepy and they both bombed out, so that’s not particularly encouraging, and the weather forecast is a little grotty. If you win one of these big handicap hurdles a season, then you have to be happy, which he has already done. You tend to have to be laid out to win this race, history would tell you, and that’s not what we’ve done with him. If he runs well and he returns in one piece that’s what we really want to happen. Sean was the first jockey on the phone to ask about the ride last week and that’s why he has it.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Williethebuilder
He has a bit to find on form but a fast-run race such as this will suit him and hopefully he can outrun his odds.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Go Dante
He would have a shout on his form from last year, but I doubt the ground will be soft enough for him this time around.

Tom Symonds, trainer of Navajo Indy
He ran an absolute beast of a race to finish as close as he did at Windsor. It looked more likely at one point that he was going to be pulled up as he was going nowhere, but he showed a good deal of ability to finish fourth. I’m hoping he’s on an upward curve and every time he’s gone to Newbury he’s shown himself to be a much better horse around there. I think there’s still scope off his mark and he’s off a nice weight.