The John Durkan I suspect will be a prep race to the season for most. It is trying to figure out who will be ready on the day. I want to take on Gaelic Warrior as I am confident his goal is the King George. Conditions favour Fact To File so much that it is hard to get away from him but that is factored into the price. I wonder if Fastorslow will be primed for this. Season last year fell apart after injury so they will want to make up for time. He gets on well at the track but then you factor in ground conditions, it's like the Betfair Chase in previous years where you could bottom the horse before the season has even started, especially in this scenario with Fastorslow not running for a year. I think Inothewayurthinkin will be bouncing still after his Gold Cup win which was a massive improvement on anything he had shown. I can see the appeal of Heart Wood but with forecast soft/heavy ground then I think he wants faster. Grageclare West has the ability but doesn't always put it in. Pulled up in this last year though got a real jockey on this time who is used to the horse. Has a habit of staying on in his races no matter the trip, he could pick up some pieces here and is currently more than twice the price he went off at last year. He would probably be my e/w dart.
