Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle

Front-running and effective at Stratford, he took a handicap here last time by a length — benefiting from a positive ride over this trip — off a mark 3lb lower; well suited by these conditions and back in form, he is the one to beat.

Down the field at Roscommon last time, hampered late and out of her element on soft ground, today’s better surface offers some relief; handles around 2m, but a strong run of form in recent starts is absent and the first-time cheekpieces will need to make a marked difference.

His Aintree flop is best excused as a likely fitness run, and earlier form over 2m on sound ground tells a different story; back on conditions that suit, he rates a solid threat, though 45 days between runs remains the key query.

Suited by 2m on good ground and these conditions look right, but his Southwell effort last time — well held at the finish despite keeping tabs — underlines he needs improvement to land this; the first-time tongue-tie could sharpen things.

Third at Plumpton most recently, unable to sustain the early pace but plugging on to finish 4¼l back, he remains in fair nick over 2m on good ground; the first-time hood adds interest but he faces a stiff task on our figures.