Southern Cranes And Access Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Well beaten over marathon trip last time but looked as good as ever when winning at Doncaster (3m, soft) two starts ago, and has previously run well over 2m4f; may not be favoured by the drying ground here but can feature if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect.

Now only 1lb higher than for emphatic win at Newbury (2m6f, good to soft) in March 2024 but absent since a lesser effort the following October and entitled to benefit from this outing.

Four chase wins, the latest from the front off reduced mark at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in February; just a respectable third of five at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month but could be hard to catch if able to dominate here.

Quirky customer who doesn't find much when striking the front but has won three times under well-timed Robert Dunne rides this season; unraced beyond about 2m4f under rules but well suited by good/good to soft ground and probably still on a workable mark.

Progressive over hurdles in 2024, winning three times, but missed 2025 and has been pulled up in two chases this year; combination of return to better ground and first-time cheekieces might aid a revival but others in this field have much less to prove.