Heart Wood holds leading claims after his Ryanair romp at Cheltenham last month, while Grey Dawning ran well for a long way in the Gold Cup at the Festival and could relish the drop back in trip. However, it may pay to concentrate on the two contenders who arrive fresher than the rest of their rivals. SOLNESS is a strong 2m1f Grade 1 performer when the ground is in his favour, which it is today, and, while he's tackling a different trip, his trainer Joseph O'Brien knows what it takes in this race having saddled the victorious Fakir d'Oudairies in 2021 and 2022. This C&D brought out the best in Gidleigh Park last season and he is second choice, having run just twice this season.[Ben Hutton]
