Key questions and trainer views to help find the winner of the Grand Annual

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m½f | 5yo+

Will Paul Nicholls strike again?

Ten-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls has won two of the last three runnings of the Grand Annual, including with Le Prezien 12 months ago.

Le Prezien returns to the Grand Annual – which is no longer the final race of the festival – and is obviously fairly handicapped off a mark just 1lb higher than the one he defied last year.

However, he failed to jump with fluency at Sandown and Nicholls appears to have a stronger candidate in Magic Saint, who looked a natural over two miles when landing a punt at Wincanton.

Nicholls said: "Hopefully Magic Saint is a bit in front of the handicapper. He’s a progressive young horse and won well at Wincanton.

"Le Prezien is 1lb higher than last year but has jumped a bit ordinarily this season. If he gets that together he’s capable of running well."

Nicholls runs three in total and added: "Brelan D’As is a lively outsider – a fast two miles suits him."

Will Whatswrongwithyou follow in the footsteps of Bellvano?

Nicky Henderson last won this contest, run in memory of his father Johnny, in 2012 with Bellvano, and his representative this year, Whatswrongwithyou, strikes as a similar type.

Like Bellvano, Whatswrongwithyou is an unexposed novice who travels powerfully but doesn't always find as much off the bridle as expected, so a strongly-run race, in which the leaders come back to the field, is ideal.

And he will surely get a strong pace to chase as, even by festival standards, the Grand Annual is invariably run at a frenetic gallop, placing horses with a high cruising speed at an advantage.

Henderson said: "Whatswrongwithyou has had only the three runs over fences but has done everything right and loves soft ground. He's a strong-travelling horse."

Not Another Muddle (right): lightly raced and progressive over fencesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Is Not Another Muddle still ahead of the handicapper?

Not Another Muddle showed promise in four starts over hurdles last season, finishing the campaign with a creditable fifth in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. However, he has really come into his own since being sent chasing, winning three of his four starts, including at Sandown last time.

He has been hit with a 7lb rise for that three-and-a-quarter length success but trainer Gary Moore, who also runs Diakali, is still expecting a bold show.

He said: "I think Not Another Muddle is tailor-made for the race as they'll go hard and he'll be able to drop out. I think his mark is fair enough and I expect him to run well.

"Diakali, who wears a visor for the first time, wants faster ground."

What they say

Brian Ellison, trainer of Forest Bihan
We’d have loved faster ground but, saying that, he’s been running consistently well and is in good form.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Gino Trail, Tree Of Liberty and Top Gamble
We had second and third last year so we'd like to go 1-2-3 this time! I've been waiting for the ground for Top Gamble; he started the season very well at Newbury and you can put a line through his last two runs. Mark Enright has ridden him before and finished second behind Un De Sceaux on him at Cork. Gino Trail has been running well and Tree Of Liberty is in great form.

Tom George, trainer of Bun Doran
He won very well at Cheltenham first time this season and was good again after that, although probably not quite to the level of his win. We know he goes well fresh so decided to roll the dice and go straight here.

Richard Newland, trainer of Caid Du Lin and Theo
Caid Du Lin has been particularly trained for this. He hasn't got any Cheltenham form but should enjoy the pace of the race. I could see Theo running well; he ran a good race at Doncaster last time and is 1lb well in.

Alan O'Keefe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Theflyingportrait
Theflyingportrait has gone up in the weights and the ground might be an issue but he won two of his last three starts and we gave him a break to freshen him up with the spring festivals in mind.

Robert Walford, trainer of Mr Medic
He's dropping back in trip, which should suit.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Marracudja
If it rains more he'd have more of a chance. We've had this race in mind since Wetherby and he has an each-way chance.

Ben Case, trainer of Croco Bay
He ran well at Worcester in the summer after a layoff and I thought I'd look after him. He's fitter than when he ran at Worcester and he's in as good a condition as I've seen him.

Spotlight verdict

Things haven't gone to plan for Le Prezien on his last two starts, but he's just 1lb higher than when a commanding winner of this race last year and there can be confidence he will be back to his best today with Paul Nicholls having such a good record in the Grand Annual. His 5yo stablemate Magic Saint is respected, as are Gino Trail and Top Gamble who finished second and third last year for Kerry Lee, who has another interesting runner in Tree Of Liberty. Mind's Eye, Not Another Muddle and Whatswrongwithyou are all open to improvement but the main danger to the selection could be Marracudja, who has got back on track this season.

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards