David Keen Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Ran no race in Doncaster's Grimthorpe last month (3m2f, soft; blinkers returned) and he had a good record in that race; did run quite well there the time before; unwise to focus too much on his reduced mark when clearly not the force of old, but he has returned to winning ways from out of the blue in the past, and he'll enjoy getting back on forecast good ground; earns respect.

Listed bumper runner-up who failed to win over hurdles (0-4) but went in at the first try over fences at Wincanton in December (2m4f, soft), when well on top late on to collect by 6l (5lb lower); since then he'll pulled up and finished 13l behind the winner when only three completed at Doncaster (2m3f, good); he's not crying out to be backed after those efforts but there's no depth to this.

Consistent 10yo; he beat only two other finishers at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft; fine on good) and his pursuers appeared to underperform; however, the 7lb rise shouldn't be too damaging given he's performed well off similar figures in the past; solid contender.

Won twice around Fontwell (2m3f/2m2f) during this month last year and well treated on all that; didn't appear to see out 3m last time at Kempton and the return of cheekpieces is a likely positive; goes on good ground; hard to dismiss.

Winning hurdler who is 0-15 over fences; placed a few times, as at Windsor on New Year's Day (3m, good), but lesser performances have followed and softer ground was no excuse; cheekpieces return after trying blinkers last time.