'I'll be very surprised if he gets beat' – Dylan Cunha brimming with confidence as he takes aim at all-weather handicap

Dylan Cunha could not be more upbeat about the claims of four-time all-weather winner Asgard’s Captain, and will be “very surprised if he gets beat”. 

The topweight has a 40 per cent strike-rate on the all-weather and also boasts standout Wolverhampton form figures of 3114.

He shaped nicely last time out on his return from a five-month break, and Cunha believes he is spot on for this assignment.

“He’s in great form, the best I’ve had him, and I will be very surprised if he gets beat,” the trainer said.

“He ran a cracking race last time and it will take a real hidden one in there to beat him.”

Form students who fancy the claims of progressive four-year-old Lerwick won’t be put off by trainer Ed Bethell’s words of wisdom either.

Winner of two of his 11 starts on turf, including at Beverley in August, Lerwick gives the impression he has more to give despite a career-high mark of 81, and Bethell believes the Tapeta track at Dunstall Park will play to his strengths.

“He’s a grand horse,” Bethell said. “We’re stepping him back up in trip which should be interesting. He’s in good form.”

Lerwick made an encouraging debut on the all-weather last month when chasing home Lough Leane at Southwell.

“I think Wolverhampton will suit him,” Bethell said. “He’s progressive, well drawn in stall two and could run a big race.”

Titian, a winner at Ripon in May, competes off the same mark here and arrives on the back of a creditable fourth to Rogue Encore at Newcastle last month.

Although he has done most of his racing on turf, Titian did win at Newcastle as a two-year-old under the tutelage of William Haggas.

Now with Julie Camacho, the six-year-old was beaten only half a length when third on his sole previous visit to Wolverhampton and looks likely to be in the shake-up.

Five-time course scorer Arcadian Nights adds spice to an interesting 0-82 handicap despite appearing weighted up to his very best.

Read these next:

1.07 Navan: The Yellow Clay goes for hurdling hat-trick in Grade 2 that was rich source of Cheltenham Festival winners last season

1.42 Navan: Bryony Frost makes Navan debut as Irish Grand National winner bids to maintain unbeaten record for trainer Tom Gibney 

1.50 Sandown: L'Eau Du Sud faces intriguing test of Arkle credentials against Gordon Elliott pair and chase debutant Rubaud 

2.07 Aintree: 'It's all systems go' - who will come out on top over the National fences in wide-open Becher Chase? 

2.25 Sandown: is a mark of 130 going to underestimate Willmount after Nicky Henderson delays plan to go novice chasing? 

3.00 Sandown: 'There has never been much between the pair' - are there dangers to odds-on Jonbon in the Tingle Creek? 

3.35 Sandown: 'Stamina is so much his forte' - analysis and key quotes for the marathon London National 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.