Placed on all three chase starts this year (3m-3m2f), logging an RPR of 105 each time; couldn't count his previous slow-ground efforts among his best form, but respected on trainer's recent record in this race.
Behind Fat Faced Columbo and Mythe Bridge at Exeter latest, his jumping not all it could be; yard doing better now, though, and more rain brings him right into this (record on heavy of 11213, if all over hurdles.)
Improving over hurdles at the gentlest of rates since rejoining Gary Hanmer, seeing out 3m on soft at Wetherby latest despite an untidy jumping display; errors abounded on sole previous chasing start also.
Half-brother to two staying chase winners, so improvement no surprise when a short-head second switched to fences at Exeter last month (3m, good to soft), with Mythe Bridge and Hill Of Tara 8l and 14l behind respectively; 6lb higher but still largely unexposed; shortlisted.
Weakening efforts on all three novice/maiden hurdles starts at up to 2m4f, and the pedigree doesn't scream staying chaser; cheekpieces added for handicap/chase debut, but not easily recommended.
Huge personal best effort switched to fences at Warwick eight days ago (3m, soft), failing by just a head; 6lb well in, and only concern would be he's not had long to recover from that protracted battle.
RPRs continuing to rise with each hurdles outing, even though the recent Chepstow return run (about 6l fourth) looked needed; hard to find many positives for staying chases in the immediate pedigree, however.
Blameless at Musselburgh latest when hampered and unseated, but otherwise mostly struggling since leaving James Ewart in the spring despite easing 15lb down the weights; unpersuasive.
0-7 chase record includes a disappointing seventh when favourite for this race last year (soft); peppering the target in Ffos Las handicaps since, going closer than ever last time without improving further to do so; cheekpieces may need to eke a bit more out of him.
Heavy-ground Irish point winner in early 2024, but pulled up at Ayr on this month's handicap/chase/seasonal debut (3m) granted the same conditions; likely best watched for the time being.
Okay third upped to 3m4f at Stratford in August, the last time he raced off his true mark; found it happening too quickly over this C&D two runs ago (good), and he's further out of the weights today; cheekpieces on.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
