First Past The Post At CopyBet Handicap Chase

Won a four-runner chase at Market Rasen (3m, good; all out) for Alan King in 2024 but didn't match that in three subsequent starts, including over this C&D; suffered a big defeat on his stable debut in January, when coming back from a 404-day absence, but was a little weak in the market that day so maybe better can be expected this time; career-low mark.

Scored for the fifth time over fences when taking a Wetherby handicap (3m, good) just under a year ago; made a solid return in November and he was back down to that last winning mark when bumping into an improver at Southwell (about 3m1f, soft) three weeks ago; contender.

Made a winning debut over fences when scoring off this mark over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) in April 2024; some solid efforts followed later that year but both starts since coming back from an absence have been uninspiring; hopes are pinned on his return to this venue and first-time blinkers.

Made the breakthrough in a first-time visor when scoring at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) in December and he followed up at Taunton (about 3m2f, good) at the end of that month; last of three finishers when up in grade on soft ground at Doncaster in January but good chance he can bounce back in this company on the forecast sounder surface.

Consistency remains an issue and he had barely started the final circuit when pulling up on his chase debut here (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; maybe the ground was an issue that day and cheekpieces, which his half-brother wore to win five of his six races, are now fitted; hard to be confident but his yard's ticking along and this is uncompetitive.