Newcastle

With so much stamina as well as class, Mr Vango is a tempting option despite conceding 24lb and more all round, but there was a crack in his usually steely demeanour last time out and that should encourage competition against him for the lead. Anglers Crag won this race in 2024, while Knockanore (second choice) took it in jaw-dropping style last year, and neither of them is passed over at all lightly, but preference is for LIVIN ON LUCO, whose Welsh National fourth seems to augur particularly well. Dom Of Mary was sixth in that race and has each-way claims today, while Fortunate Man has a great deal of the thorough stayer about him and goes beyond 3m4f for the first time.[Richard Austen]