Fakenham Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle

Within 1lb of the mark he lowered with a 7lb claimer up in this race two years ago (good); latest win came under Isabelle Ryder in a Wincanton handicap chase in November (2m4f, good) and typically consistent either side of that, if perhaps more compelling over intermediate trips nowadays.

C&D record of 3-3 includes the maiden on this card in 2024 and this very race last year (good to soft); in and out since October's Southwell score off 1lb higher but no ground issues, and fact he won in first-time cheekpieces (again C&D) augurs well ahead of this first try in blinkers.

Beaten favourite on all three hurdles starts since July's Stratford novice win (2m, good), including twice off mid-110s marks; more needed, but recent Flat return is at least entitled to have brought him on.

Hurdles (2m1f, good) and Flat (1m4f, AW) wins for Joseph O'Brien last year but didn't go on under either code; not the appeal of some on stable debut despite stamina to spare at the trip; tongue tie added.

Mixed bag in 1m2f Newcastle Flat contests and two hurdles in recent months; only 1lb higher than for his Juvenile Hurdle Series Final win at Musselburgh (2m1f, good to soft) this time last year, however, and Yorkshire yard has had placed horses in this race the past two years.