SAM HARDY

1. Mengli Khan 2. Duc Des Genievres 3. Sky Pirate

Trainer Nicky Henderson always targets this race and Mengli Khan looks the trainer’s best chance of gaining another win in the race named in his father’s honour. A Grade 1 winner in Ireland, this gelding could be potentially well handicapped for his new connections and has been kept busy with runs on the all-waether. The Paul Nicholls-trained Duc Des Genievres was second in a Grade 2 here in November and should go close if reproducing that form.