JCB Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Final) (GBB Race)

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

Weakened when well-beaten third at Doncaster (3m2f, soft) last month and needs to bounce back; however, he was running very well in defeat otherwise this winter (3m/3m1f, good-soft) and this C&D winner will be in the mix if back on song this afternoon.

Having dropped back down to his last winning mark he returned to form when third in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; he's a contender if backing up that effort.

In top form over 3m on good ground last May/June, finishing second at Uttoxeter then first at Perth; soundly beaten on both runs since but those were on heavy/soft going and perhaps today's return to a better surface will trigger a revival.

He hasn't been at his best this season but he didn't run badly in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Sandown (3m, soft) recently and could build on that now back on better ground, with last season's two wins coming on good/good to firm; now 6lb below last winning mark; interesting.