10yo who has been absent since pulled up in Grade 1 at Ascot in February; however, prior to that he was third in the King George at Kempton (3m, good) before winning the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here (3m1f, soft); goes well fresh and he's defied a higher mark than this in the past.
Returned to form to win on his reappearance in a quality handicap at Ascot (3m, good) last month; has also won on soft/good to soft; now 5-10 over fences and he's gone up just 3lb for last time; respected.
His two chase starts came back in autumn 2022 and he made mistakes, but showed strong form nevertheless; won Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle here (3m, soft) in January and ran pretty well in handicap hurdle here last month; stable has a good record in the race and he could go well; new headgear combination.
Well beaten at Newcastle a fortnight ago but may have needed that comeback run; won in good style at Aintree (3m1f, good) in April and on that evidence this 3lb higher mark shouldn't be beyond him; versatile ground-wise.
Won his final two starts last season (3m, good) and runner-up on reappearance at Bangor (3m, soft), where he wasn't fluent at the final fence and his rider lost an iron; lost lots of ground at the start and soon pulled up at Newbury a fortnight ago (standing start); there's a slight cautionary note after that but there's lots to like otherwise.
Following a third wind op he returned to form with a respectable sixth of 17 in the Grand Sefton at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) last month, a race he won last year (good to soft) before following up in this (good to soft); also seems effective on soft/heavy; could build on the Aintree effort.
He needs to improve upon what he's shown on his four chase starts but his three runs this autumn were over 2m1f/2m2f and his sole hurdle win came at 3m1f last December (yielding to soft); this Irish-trained 7yo is an interesting contender now back up in trip.
Returned from a break with good fourth of 18 here (3m1f, good) in October, having been second in the same race 12 months earlier; last win came on soft to heavy ground; wears first-time tongue-tie; could be bang there.
From out of the handicap he's 10lb higher than when second of 16 here (3m1f, heavy) last month on his reappearance; however, this 8yo could still be improving and he's not discounted with his yard in excellent form.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
