Carlsberg Britvic Staffordshire Plate Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off for 77 days but has a good record when fresh and had been absent for 56 days when winning a 2m5f handicap on this card 12 months ago; however, all his best form is over shorter trips and drying ground is another possible issue.

Ran well last time behind a lightly raced chaser but had no excuses and he's been plying his trade at a lower level; the new blinkers could work but he's 6lb out of the weights.

Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.

6lb higher than when beating Cheltenham/Fairyhouse hero Haiti Couleurs at Chepstow in October (2m7f, good to soft) and has only just missed out in small-field 3m chases the last twice (soft/good); has a big role to play.

0-4 over fences since a winning start in this discipline but ran well behind subsequent Cheltenham scorer Riskintheground at Ayr last month (2m4f, good to soft); unraced beyond 2m5f under rules but won a point at 3m and likes this good ground.