Hard to beat bit of Passion

Kieren Fallon rode him on his most recent start and must have been impressed by the way in which he stalked the leaders before quickening to master his old rival Eastern Breeze in the final furlong.

Darryll Holland takes over from the indisposed champion tomorrow and, granted normal luck in running from his high draw, Grand Passion's finishing kick could well prove the decisive factor again.

Jumping fans who spent three tiring days at the Festival will need plenty of stamina to go into the fray again at Uttoxeter and Ascot. Stamina will also be an essential commodity in the big race at Uttoxeter, where the Irish raider Hume Castle looks a strong contender for the £100,000 John Smith's Midlands Grand National over four and a quarter miles.

Moscow Flyer's untimely exit from the Champion Chase came as a blow to the Jessica Harrington stable, but the Kildare handler has won this race twice in the last five years with Miss Orchestra and the ill-fated Intelligent.

Completing a third success won't be easy, but Hume Castle has looked very progressive in winning two of his last three starts and appears the sort who could come into his own granted a marathon trip like this one.

The main event on a trappy looking Ascot card is the £40,000 Cantor Odds Handicap Hurdle.

Northern raider Paperprophet is improving with racing, but Dangerously Good is also on the up and looks a fair bet to make his first venture into handicap company a winning one.