Mick Walsh Open Ditch Handicap Chase

Front-runner who has won his last three starts (2m7f-3m2f, good to soft/good), the latest at Carlisle nine days ago; clearly thriving and could be tough to beat for a stable that is in fantastic form.

Inconsistent this season and well beaten at Bangor a fortnight ago; however, he won off this mark at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November and was a good second over C&D (good to soft) last March; shouldn't be written off.

He's fallen/unseated on three of his five starts over hurdles but was going well when exiting two out at Stratford (2m6f, soft) last month and ran well when runner-up to well-backed winner at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago; major player granted a clear round.

Took a step forward in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) when third at Southwell (3m, good) three weeks ago on her handicap hurdle debut; finished third in her sole point and her dam was a useful chaser, so this very lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer now switched to fences.

0-9 over fences and he's struggled on his last two starts; however, first-time cheekpieces had a positive impact when he was second off 4lb higher over C&D (good to soft) last November, so perhaps today's first-time blinkers and tongue-tie will give him a boost.