Lucinda Russell's charge enjoyed a swift rise through the ranks last term, making great strides from an initial chase third at Perth to register a wide-margin victory at Aintree before following up at Cheltenham in December.
The eight-year-old then shouldered top weight in the Classic Chase at Warwick and while not disgraced in fourth, he never looked like getting involved in what clearly proved a test too far for a novice runner.
A planned confidence booster at Ascot in February did not go to plan either as he unshipped his rider five fences from home, but a trip to the Cheltenham Festival confirmed all his early promise as he made up plenty of late ground to grab Grade Three gold in the Ultima, looking a likely staying star for this season.
He has a bit to find with Millers Bank here, but that rival's jumping has let him down on more than one occasion, so preference is for the largely consistent Corach Rambler.
Navajo Pass can claim his first success since shocking Buveur D'Air in a Champion Hurdle trial back in February 2021 as he lines up in the DMB Building Ltd Handicap Hurdle.
Donald McCain's charge was firmly on an upward swing when he defeated the dual Cheltenham champion at Haydock, seeing his rating boosted to 156.
However, the fact he lines up here off 128 illustrates his poor run of form subsequently, falling in a Grade Three at Aintree in the spring as the culmination of six luckless runs.
Navajo Pass showed some of his old sparkle when hacking up by nearly 10 lengths on the level at Haydock earlier this month and that run could set him up nicely in this two-and-a-half-mile affair.
Iron Bridge can extend his perfect record to four wins in as many runs in the Gordon Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
A Tipperary bumper scorer in March 2021 when trained by Damian Murphy, Iron Bridge switched to Jonjo O'Neill last term to win both his hurdles starts – at Ffos Las in October and then Worcester in April.
He strolled home by 22 lengths on the latter occasion, but like so many of the runners to have donned the famous Hemmings silks, Iron Bridge has looked a real chasing prospect all the way through and he can make an immediate impact.
Pentland Hills needs little introduction ahead of his debut over fences in the Vince 80th Birthday Stakes Novices' Chase at Huntingdon.
Nicky Henderson's charge has suffered his fair share of problems since winning the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and a Grade One at Aintree in the spring of 2019, making it to the racecourse on only four occasions since.
But the seven-year-old proved he retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm for the job when knuckling down to make a successful return from 927 days on the sidelines on the Flat at Haydock last month.
Pentland Hills does not face a straightforward task on his fencing bow, with previous chase winner Aucunrisque a worthy opponent, but in receipt of 6lb, he is expected to win the match.
Maridadi just fell short on her seasonal bow, but compensation awaits in the Bet On racingtv.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
A bumper winner back in January 2020 for Hughie Morrison, Maridadi transferred to Neil King's team after a couple of attempts in better bumper company and four unsuccessful Flat runs in the early part of the summer.
She looked a promising recruit for King on her yard debut at Warwick, beaten half a length by Notnowlinda as an 18-1 shot and she might not have to improve too much to get off the mark.
SELECTIONS
CARLSILE: 12.50 Grove Road, 1.25 Iron Bridge, 1.58 Serious Ego, 2.30 CORACH RAMBLER (NAP), 3.05 Navajo Pass, 3.40 Houston Texas, 4.13 Fuji Rocks.
GALWAY: 12.40 Battling Bessie, 1.15 Thedevilscoachman, 1.50 Mica Malpic, 2.20 King Ferdinand, 2.55 Jack In The Box, 3.30 Monbeg Park, 4.02 The Dasher Conway, 4.35 Coastguard Lady.
HUNTINGDON: 1.08 Pentland Hills, 1.43 Maridadi, 2.13 Watashock, 2.48 Age Of Sail, 3.23 Fulgurix, 3.58 Barely Famous.
WEXFORD: 1.00 The Mediator, 1.35 On The Tide, 2.05 Champella, 2.40 Crimson Chief, 3.15 The Folkes Tiara, 3.50 Pat Coyne, 4.20 Millie In Milan.
DOUBLE: Corach Rambler and Iron Bridge.
