Paperising is set for Kempton glory

Goguenard, who would have plenty in hand on Red Striker if running here, is more likely to head to Haydock. But stablemate Lord Of The River, the fourth Gold Cup challenger among the five-day entries, is set to run. On the sidelines for almost three years, it will be his first race under Nicky Henderson's care. When with Oliver Sherwood, he won a brace of top novice-chases and finished second to subsequent Gold Cup hero, Looks Like Trouble, in the 1999 Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival - albeit at a respectful distance. If he can recover that form, he's thrown in. But this is a tough first ask.

Occold is another who performed to a far better level in his novicechasing days four seasons ago than what's required here. But he finished badly lame when second to Boss Doyle at the 1998 Aintree Festival. Current trainer Ferdy Murphy and predecessor Chris Kinane have worked wonders to get him back at all.

In that context, the fact his price is now half what it was when betting opened is off-putting. His fivelength success in heavy ground at Towcester last month was a triumph of stamina against lesser rivals than he faces now. He makes little short-priced appeal in an event that places more emphasis on speed.

Stablemate Luzcadou, formerly trained by Micky Hammond, offers both value and the main threat. He boasts speed to win over shorter trips yet promises to stay this sharp three miles, although more rain would help.

His half-length defeat, conceding 2lb, by A Piece Of Cake last time out was a career-best effort. Mr Baxter Basics has a stand-out chance on his old Irish form and showed definite signs of revival for Venetia Williams last time. But there are severe stamina doubts. Fellow newly arrived stablemate, Trouble Ahead, is well-handicapped but the ground may be too soft and he's prone to the odd big mistake.

Tremallt would have at least been third had he not fallen at the last in a stronger renewal 12 months ago.

He's in great heart and goes well here, but is always prone to a chance-ending error under pressure. Eau de Cologne is back on a handy mark but has not yet struck form and would prefer a sounder surface.

Racing Post Chase selections: 1, Paperising; 2, Luzcadou; 3, Tremallt.