Champion Equestrian Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Best known for his Newton Abbot heroics but arguably posted career-best performance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm) on Wednesday, drawing 25l clear of some flagging rivals; it's hard to know what to make of that piece of form but he's effectively only 6lb higher under 7lb penalty here.

Won over hurdles here (2m7f, good) in April and, with cheekpieces added, made the frame in all three subsequent chases (2m7f-3m, good); not seen to best effect when fourth in race run at a scorching pace last time and better judged on clear second behind a next-time-out winner two starts ago; major player.

Largely consistent 7yo who mixes hurdling with chasing and has very good 8-30 strike-rate over jumps; back over fences after making all in a recent Warwick hurdle (3m2f, good); ought to be on the premises again.

Just 1-13 over fences but comes here after two good recent runs, the latter when a clear second at Uttoxeter (3m, good); still on a workable mark and will be suited by the extra distance today; respected.

Useful handicapper in his prime; seemingly back in good nick when easily winning a point in March but struggled in a Cartmel hunter chase in May and now has it all to prove again.