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SECOND season chasers are normally the category to focus upon for the feature Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.00, Newbury), but to my eyes there is no stand out entry from that group of runners which means that the seasoned staying campaigners could easily have their day in the sun this afternoon over the galloping three-and-a-quarter-mile trip.

Of the younger runners I probably have most regard for BROADWAY BOY who was once thought of as a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup star by the Twiston-Davies clan in his novice season, but has simply not lived up to that level. Having said that I still think that he will reverse recent Cheltenham form with Senior Chief on these much better terms and is also probably ahead of Victtorino. The last named, at the age of six, still has room to improve from a yard in sizzling form at the moment, but I would venture to put forward that he is possibly better going right handed.

The selection reportedly surprised connections when blowing very hard after his race at the Prestbury Park track and is expected to come forward a bundle and even if he is a level below the aspirations previously held out for him he needs to be winning this off a mark of just 148.

Of the older horses, Remastered, second in 2022 off a mark of 142 and only 3lbs higher here having won at Aintree and in the process of running a cracker at Wincanton in the Badger Beer Premier Handicap Chase before coming to grief at the fourth last that afternoon, could outrun his massive odds and hit the first four.

The Irish raider Horantzau d’Airy is also worth a second look after running into the very well handicapped Flooring Porter in the Kerry National and then the rejuvenated Real Steel in the Munster National, on both occasions looking as though this extra quarter of a mile would suit him down to the ground. The mare Galia des Liteaux ran an absolute cracker in the Randox Grand National at Aintree in April and had a lovely warm-up at Carlisle first time up this season over an insufficient two and a half miles.

As per normal on this biggest of days at the Berkshire track we have a brilliant supporting card and the one horse I am really looking forward to seeing most of all is the four-year-old EXCELERO in the Gerry Feilden Handicap Hurdle at 2.25. The four-year-old was a keeping on fourth in the Triumph Hurdle Trial last year behind Sir Gino and subsequently won his maiden on the bridle at Market Rasen before again being outpaced over two miles at Kempton Park. In a faster run race on a more galloping track he has solid claims of seeing off the likes of impressive Ascot winner Our Champ and Aston Martini for Nicky Henderson who tends to target this valuable local contest. The Seven Barrows maestro also has the likely favourite in Jeriko Du Reponet who disappointed over fences first time up at Sandown Park this season.

PETIT TONNERRE (3.35) was hugely disappointing at Cheltenham last time out after a cracking return behind Imperial Saint at Aintree. But there is a train of thought that the gelding is much better on a flatter track and having plummeted in the handicap from 141 to 127 in the past 12 months, he has every chance here as he approaches the last chance saloon for me.

Earlier on, LISTENTOYOURHEART (12.07) can see off four last time out winners in the opening Listed Mares Novice Hurdle after sauntering to victory over the course and distance last time out. This is quite obviously a level above that race, but she looked very smart that day and can give the Skelton clan another winner.

Sir Gino is the reserve brought in by Henderson for the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle, 2.10) for the seemingly never right Constitution Hill. However, he was going to be sent over fences before his famous stable mate was sidelined again and I fancy that his Irish rival, MYSTICAL POWER may well have his measure. The son of Galileo never really wins in what you would call impressive fashion, but nobody doubts how giving he is in a finish and he gets the vote to out battle his market rival.

The Bet MGM Rehearsal Chase (3.20) could well see Bowtogreatness go off favourite from the massively in form Ben Pauling yard and the recent Newbury winner has only a 4lbs penalty to carry here. However, I think that the better value play here could well be the 20/1 player SPECIAL RATE. He looked set to play a big part in the finish at Ayr last time out after travelling powerfully until getting rid of Sean Quinlan at the 14th obstacle. This step back up to three miles should suit and he is the each-way play against the underrated Donny Boy.

Earlier on at the Gosforth Park track I also like the look of well touted newcomer LAVENDER HILL MOB (11.53), STEP ABOVE (12.28) and in the three-and-three-quarter-mile BetMGM Handicap Chase at 1.35, the very strong staying DESTINY IS ALL with the promising Jack Power taking 7lbs off his back.

Over at Fairyhouse AMERICAN MIKE, beaten favourite in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan, can bounce back in the 12.45 in what looks a less demanding contest, while OLD SOUL (12.12) can cause a minor upset in the Race and Stay Ladies Handicap Chase.

At Doncaster, we will probably have the quickest of the ground at our four Saturday venues and that should suit SAMUEL SPADE in the big two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle due off at 1.27 having looking badly in need of his first run this season at Sandown Park.