When good he's really good, as he showed in winning last season's Midlands National (4m2f, heavy) despite conceding ground jumping to the right; does have his share of off days and difficult to know what mood he'll be in, but right-handed tracks may suit him best now and his new partner takes off a handy 7lb.
2023 was his year when bagging a hat-trick in high-profile staying chases; getting himself well handicapped again and returning to further will be welcomed after this season's two runs at about 3m; not ruled out with Cobden booked.
Winning for a fourth time over fences when scoring by 4l at Kempton in March (3m, good to soft; off 4lb lower); can struggle with his consistency and this is a quick reappearance after finishing a 14l fifth on the cross-country course last week at Cheltenham.
Won a bumper and two hurdles for Willie Mullins, for whom he signed off with a third on chase debut; with Sophie Leech when close up in a 2m6f beginners' chase at Galway and would have found 2m3f too sharp here three weeks ago on first run for current yard; whether he'll stay this far (unraced beyond 3m) remains to be seen.
Stuck on a losing run but he's a force to be reckoned with in these staying chases and he was conceding race-fitness to the winner when a well-held second at Aintree (3m1f, good) last month; softer ground would be ideal but still well worth considering.
In a first-time visor (retained since) he won last season's Edinburgh National at Musselburgh by some 21l (3m7f, good to soft); has made a solid start to this campaign at about 3m and returning to further this afternoon has to rate a positive.
Became notoriously hard to predict for the Tizzards and never moved with any purpose before calling it a day in the Badger Beer at Wincanton two weeks ago.
Better than ever when easily winning last season's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) before a close third at Sandown (3m, good); ended up well beaten in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham afterwards but wouldn't knock him for that; since had wind surgery, though the cheekpieces that had been working well are now missing.
His productive summer has come at a cost mark-wise and he was a remote fourth of the five runners at Newbury recently (2m7f, good); will be into unknown territory a long way from home over this far.
Did well in staying chases last season, winding up with a second in Perth's Highland National (3m6f, soft; off 3lb lower); this 7yo appeals as the type with more to offer and his recent run over hurdles could have set him up nicely for this; has won on good to soft.
Went 3-3 last season once the cheekpieces were fitted, culminating with a gritty display in the West Wales National at Ffos Las (3m4f, heavy); up another 5lb, has fitness to prove after his absence and may prefer softer ground.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
