Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

9yo who is without a win since scoring over C&D (good to soft) in January 2024 and he can make mistakes; however, he likes it here and showed considerable spark when third in a Grade 2 at Sandown (2m6f, good) this April; every chance he'll improve for his comeback run in the Charlie Hall and Isabelle Ryder is a promising 7lb claimer; he could go well back down in trip.

Highly progressive during last season's novice campaign and made it 4-5 over fences when winning the 20-runner Plate here (2m4f, good to soft) in March; has also won soft ground here; did it convincingly at the Festival and this unexposed 6yo could still be well handicapped despite a 9lb rise.

Won Grade 2 novice chase in January 2024 (2m3f, soft) and, after a short and unsuccessful campaign last season, he reappeared with a win in the Grand Sefton at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) last month; scored by 2l in that competitive handicap and a 4lb rise is far from harsh; respected.

Three wins at Aintree (2m/2m4f, good/good to soft) towards end of last year and good third over this C&D (soft) in January; reluctant to line up when fifth of seven on reappearance at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and he needs to be better than ever to win today, but this second-season chaser could improve for that last run and is not ruled out each-way.

Ascot brings out the best in him but he was well beaten when upped to 2m5f there in January; however, he won over 2m4f at Sandown in April 2024 and shaped when second at Ascot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago as though this step back up in trip would be well worth a go; not discounted.