Ascot Racecourse Supports Priors Court School Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Back-to-back wins last spring (2m/2m1f; good to soft/good) on first two starts for this yard; essentially underwhelming since, albeit running at the Cheltenham Festival last time when 66-1 for the 2m4f handicap; this is clearly less demanding but he brings risks in new cheekpieces.

Two wins and as many seconds in his completed starts over fences; put in his place off this mark at Kempton (2m2f, good) two weeks ago but the winner is in a good place at the minute; unlikely to be far away.

Sported this headgear combination for the first time when narrowly repelling Authoceltic at Newton Abbot and followed up over hurdles later in the autumn; disappointed back over fences in January but returned to form with a decisive win at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft), beating a hat-trick seeker in the process; went up 8lb for that but clearly a contender; good ground is fine.

Only three runs over fences but already a better chaser than hurdler; well on top to win at Wincanton in November (1m7f, good; 5lb lower) and the softer surface at Ludlow (good to soft) was a feasible excuse next time; absent since December but likely to go well.

It's been a ropey start over fences (last four races) but he could be happy to get away from soft ground, having won his maiden hurdle on good; better can be expected but he's risky.