In my humble opinion the most likely winner at the meet would be Chacun Pour Soi in the Champion Chase. One of my faves and I really, really can't see him getting beat. Probobly, the biggest test is getting him A-OK to run on the day! Re Shiskin, if I may, I'm going to repeat my rant from 2017 about Altior's Festival objective. Then I couldn't believe that they ran in a race as comparatively non-descript as the Arkle (look its a top prize but fades into insignificance compared to the biggest of the big) rather than the Champion Hurdle (which I maintain he would have sluiced up in). Again, will the owners of Shiskin want to go for something as 'mediocre' as the Arkle rather than shoot for the old stars and go for the Champion Hurdle or the Champion Chase??? I expect it will be the far eaier Arkle for him but anyone placing an ante-post bet, in my view, wants to ask themselves could the owners be tempted by something bigger???
Going just off the prices Easyland sits a 7/4-6/4 fav with Tiger Roll, Potters Corner & Ajas all sat behind at around 8/1-10/1... In the Champion Chase Chacun Pour Soi, currently best price 10/11-4/6 with his challengers Altior 8/1, Politologue 9/1 and A Plus Tard @ 10/1... You also have Monkfish @ 5/6-8/11 with his nearest rivals starting at 6/1 Royal Pagaille and bigger the rest... And finally of the very short priced runners Envoi Allen is your 5/6 best priced favourite against Energumene & Monkfish roughly a 6/1 shot, Shan Blue 12/1 and bigger the rest... PaddyPower Easyland @ 6/4 Chacun Pour Soi @ 4/6 Monkfish @ 8/11 Envoi Allen @ 4/5 Easyland would be the best priced of the shorter odds runners if your gonna pile on for a single win... But I am sure there are a few of us that have them in various accy's in the book...
