'I'm happy with him and we're ready to start' - key analysis and quotes for competitive handicap chase

Dan Skelton has made a blistering start to the season and the trainers' championship leader saddles a strong contender in Coco Mademoiselle.

The six-year-old mare made an impressive debut over fences last time out when a head second behind Hometown Boy at Worcester. She should benefit from that experience, although she has not yet raced on good ground.

Beachcomber finished third at Chepstow on his chase debut for Jonjo and AJ O'Neill last month, while Alan King's Egbert should appreciate conditions and has won two of his five starts over fences.

Emma Lavelle, who saddles Tightenourbelts, is the only trainer in the race who has had success in this race in the last decade. She won with Caulfields Venture in 2016 and came close 12 months ago when My Silver Lining finished second, so it's a race she likes to target.

It is a return to fences for Tightenourbelts, whose sole victory in this sphere came almost a year ago to the day at Ludlow, and it has been the trainer's plan to return to this staying distance.

Tea Clipper, Striking A Pose and Jeremy Pass all have winning form over fences, while course-and-distance winners Wiseguy and Bangers And Cash will ensure this contest is likely to be another close battle. No favourite has obliged since Scoop The Pot in 2018.

Ground and weather

Conditions are expected to stay dry and the track has been hit with just over 2mm of rainfall since Sunday.

Course of the clerk Jason Loosemore said: "The ground remains good. We've not had a wet week, but we've had damp weather. The track is in great order and the forecast is to remain dry but cloudy."

What they say

Ben Pauling, trainer of Bangers And Cash
His participation will be ground dependent. Last season was okay, he didn't really ever challenge the judge and I'm hoping he comes back a fresher and better horse. He seems very well at home.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Coco Mademoiselle
She has a big chance. She had a run at Worcester and has come on from that. Hopefully the ground has a nice dig in it.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Tightenourbelts
He's come out of Chepstow really well and I was delighted with him in the Silver Trophy because it was a trip shorter than ideal and he galloped all the way to the line. The plan has always been to go back over fences. If he jumps like he does at Ludlow then he'll be very competitive.

Alan King, trainer of Egbert
He seems fine, I'm happy with him and we're ready to start. I hope it is good ground – I wouldn't want to run him on anything quicker. He's had a proper break after the Scottish National.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Wiseguy
He won around there last year, but he lost the plot at the back end of last season and things weren’t right when we went back over hurdles. His schooling has been great and he seems in good form.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Striking A Pose
He loves Exeter and has done really well around there. It's a competitive race but we're back over fences and he's been schooling really well.

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