Never Say Die IPA Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Six-time chase winner (once here); did well in hunter chases towards end of last season, most notably when second of 29 over the big Aintree fences in April, but was just a respectable fifth when back in a handicap this month and needs that run to have brought him on.

Revitalised by switch to new stable at end of last season, winning twice over 2m6f before close second in valuable novices' handicap at Sandown (2m4f, good; jumped left throughout); will be a tough nut to crack if still in similar form after five-month break.

3-6 over fences, the latest win gained at Kempton (2m4f, soft; made all) in February; needs to return from seven-month break in prime form to have any chance off current mark but the forecast good ground won't be a problem.

Very useful at peak for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland and came good for new stable at third attempt, causing 33-1 surprise with narrow success at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last month; it's hard to tell whether he'll be in the right mood again here but a 4lb rise ought to be manageable if he is.

Back in good nick when comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May but has become far too inconsistent to rely upon, and did not get competitive when reappearing in a recent Worcester handicap.