Betting editor Keith Melrose dissects a red-hot Classic Chase

It was overheard this week that horses in headgear hold a good record in the Classic Chase. While it would not be advised to bet solely on accoutrement-based trends, it does tell the story of this race being one that is usually more for the older, less enthusiastic brand of staying chaser.

You can disregard that perspective this year. The other occasional role of the Classic Chase is as a logical stepping stone to the Grand National, with a sensible three-month gap in the meantime. One For Arthur did the double in 2017 and a year later Milansbar won this before finishing fifth at Aintree. A number of the runners could be so bound this year.

The Conditional, Kimberlite Candy and Le Breuil are all likely to be among the Grand National entries. Respectively, they are the Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up, Becher runner-up and National Hunt Chase winner. It is not often the Classic Chase attracts such strong recent form lines.