Verdict

MAD MAX should be able to come out on top although I'm Delilah impressed last time and Quwetwo promises to be an exciting recruit. Nicky Henderson's giant has had problems with his breathing in the past but the only blemish on his record is his defeat at last year's Cheltenham Festival. There's a school of thought that the undulations at Prestbury Park don't suit but this track should be ideal, he handled the ground well enough at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance and he'll be expected to take all the beating. He does have to concede plenty of weight to I'm Delilah who made the most of similar concessions to lower the colours of another well regarded chaser in Noble Alan over course and distance; she shouldn't be underestimated. You're The Top may be the Seven Barrows' second string but he impressed on his chase bow and is a progressive and talented performer. He has something to find with his stable companion but is a dangerous second string to the bow. Quwetwo hasn't been seen since tailing off at the Cheltenham Festival but the best of this strapping gelding was never going to be seen until he went over fences. This is a stiff introduction but will presumably enable connections to decide whether the Spring Festivals are a realistic objective this season. El Dancer has run a couple of sound races without doing enough to think that he can win this but there will be other days for him and for chase debutant Joe Jo Star but today can see Mad Max take another step towards the Arkle.

Formwatch

Mad Max (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 2nd, led 6th, joined 4 out, narrow lead when blundered 2 out, good jump to assert after last, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) sft beating Mahonia (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.

You're The Top (FR) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, led next, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating I Have Dreamed (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.

El Dancer (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leading pair, not much room on inside, hampered and lost place bend after 4 out, rallied to 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Riverside Theatre (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) gs in Dec.

Joe Jo Star 6-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, stumbled badly 3rd, headway approaching 6th, 3rd before 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 13, 12l behind Cootehill (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Jul.

Quwetwo 20-1 (11-7) Led, hit 3rd, soon headed, led after next, headed when hit 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, well behind when blundered 2 out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Mikael D'haguenet (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.

I'm Delilah 9-4 (10-6) Made all, stayed on well from last, won at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec beating Noble Alan (11-5) by 5l, 10 ran.