Paddy's Pick 5: Our top tips for Saturday's £25,000 game

Corrigeen Rock is a chaser firmly on the upgrade and impressed over this course and distance last time out. However, he has a 9lb higher mark to contend with now in a better race, and it may be wise to take him on with FRERO BANBOU.

The Venetia Williams-trained eight-year-old has some useful handicap form next to his name and finished second behind a well-handicapped rival in a similar race to this over course and distance last season.

He arrives here off the same rating plus was not beaten far when third in the Grand Annual off a pound higher mark at last year's Cheltenham Festival.

Although he was a shade disappointing on his latest outing, he probably found the ground quick enough at Ascot, and will relish the return to softer conditions on Saturday. He’s been a consistent performer over the past couple of seasons, too, and a repeat of his best efforts will see him in the mix here.

Selection: Frero Banbou.

Only seven runners, but a tricky puzzle to solve. Interne De Sivola shaped with bundles of promise over hurdles last season, and should be capable of better than he has shown over fences so far. He arrives here with a bit to prove after his past two efforts, though, while Not Available and Another Crick do not look as good as they once were.

He’s been hit with a 4lb rise after clinging on to land a 0-145 handicap last time out, but DESQUE DE L’ISLE arrives here seeking a hat-trick and looks the safest option.

This also represents a drop in grade for the ten-year-old who has been guided to victory by Shane Quinlan, who claims a handy 3lb, on his past two starts, and the selection has gone close off similar marks to this in the past, so may not be in the grip of the handicapper just yet.

Selection: Desque De L’Isle.

AUTHORISED SPEED finished fifth in the Champion Bumper last season and created a huge impression when bolting up, despite racing keenly throughout, on his hurdling debut over an extended 2m3f at Lingfield.

Although Gary Moore’s youngster wasn’t as impressive over this course and distance next time out, he pulled clear with a rival trained by Nicky Henderson who attracted plenty of support in a race the Seven Barrows handler usually unleashes a smart prospect in.

Authorised Speed won with plenty to spare, too, despite making a bad mistake at the last, and again showed his liking for soft ground.

He’s far from the finished article, but the vibes from his connections have been positive this week and he looks a high-class performer in the making.

Selection: Authorised Speed.

Plenty you can make a case for, but a chance is taken on PRIME VENTURE who was a cosy winner of this race last year and returns off the same rating.

Two spins over hurdles this season should have him primed for a repeat bid, which one would imagine has been the target for some time, and it is noteworthy that connections have reached for cheekpieces on his return to chasing.

With further rain forecast, conditions should prove ideal for Prime Venture again on Saturday and with a number of front runners in opposition, it is likely the race will set up ideally for him.

Snow Leopardess looks the main danger, and is sure to prove a popular selection, while Crosspark is another that is feared following his eye-catching effort after a lengthy absence last time out.

Selection: Prime Venture.

LIGHTLY SQUEEZE looked as good as ever when winning a 0-130 handicap on his return from a 532-day break in November, and a 6lb rise for that victory looks lenient.

Having travelled strongly throughout, he only had to be nudged clear by his rider to score, so while the bounce factor is a slight concern, he didn’t exactly have a hard race at Kempton plus has been given 47 days to recover from his exertions.

The nine-year-old was not beaten far when third in the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy off a pound higher mark just over two years ago, which is strong form, and is two from three under Bryan Carver.

Harry Fry has been operating at a 22 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight and the trip and ground will be ideal for his charge who looks capable of making up for lost time this season.

Selection: Lightly Squeeze.