Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Easily won maiden hurdle at Punchestown (2m, heavy) in February and highly creditable fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) last month; effective on good ground on the Flat; could have more to offer in this code and he's a major player up 1lb for last time.

8yo who was better than ever on the Flat and over hurdles last year, finishing third in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle (2m, good) in November when last seen; his last two Flat wins have come at this venue and he's an interesting contender now back here and reverting to a handicap.

Close second at Clonmel (made bad mistake) in January; pulled hard and pulled up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f) on first run beyond 2m1f but it's to his credit that he was still in the front rank entering the straight; could play a leading role now back down in trip.

Made it 3-3 when winning on handicap debut at Kempton and runner-up in warm races the next twice (1m7f/2m, good to soft/soft); this unexposed 5yo could continue to progress and is firmly in calculations.

All four handicap wins at Kelso, including last month's Morebattle (second year running), but he was a close third in this last year and ran well when seventh in the County at Cheltenham last time; might not be far away.