Ripon "Cock O' The North" Handicap

9yo with only one win (last May) in nearly three years now but he's 2lb below that last winning mark and his Doncaster reappearance wasn't devoid of promise, keeping on from the rear for sixth of 16 in a warm race; needs things to drop right but this former C&D scorer has to enter the reckoning.

Down the field in two AW starts in recent months but he's 0-4 in that sphere compared to a healthy 3-6 on turf, including a 1m2f Salisbury win off only 1lb higher last autumn; another who can't be discounted.

Three 1m2f wins last year, including under Archie Young; creditable fourth off 1lb higher on AW when last seen in November; has gone close over C&D before; likely to be competitive if ready to roll after five months off.

Multiple Flat winner, including here; good second of 14 at York (extended 1m2f, soft) when last seen on the Flat in October; failed to make a significant impact in two handicap hurdles over the winter and now returns to the level after just over three months off.

Well handicapped on the pick of his form and made a good return to action when second to next-time-out winner Midnight Lion at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) four weeks ago; given a chance to build on that promise.