Taunton

Brentford Hope has good form on testing ground on the Flat and over hurdles and is likely to make a bold bid to defy top weight but narrow preference is for JACK HYDE, whose two attempts in handicap company have resulted in good in-frame efforts in big fields at the Aintree Grand National Festival and the Cheltenham November meeting. Aurigny Mill's fine Taunton record also earns him a place on the shortlist in this useful contest. [Andrew Sheret]