Oddschecker Novices' Handicap Chase

Unseated rider on seasonal/chase/handicap debut in December and was safely held on next two outings (both on slow ground) but he'll appreciate this ease in grade and may yet come good for his top stable.

Ex-Irish 8yo who started off for Fergal O'Brien with three chase wins in the autumn (2m4f-2m5f, good/good to soft); returned from short break with lesser effort last month but he's very unexposed as a stayer and further progress remains possible if he's back on song here.

Scored at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) on seasonal/chase/handicap debut in November and ran well in defeat at Market Rasen (2m3f, good to soft) soon afterwards; ran in snatches and was disappointing when fifth (just behind Dyno Dave) at Ffos Las (3m heavy) in January but still considered here.

0-6 over hurdles, having been pulled up in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) last month; could plausibly be seen to better effect now he's upped in trip and switched to fences but others have much more obvious claims.

Still very lightly raced under rules but was pulled up on chase/handicap debut in January and probably did not achieve much when well-held second in three-runner contest at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) this month.