Fairly useful sort. Capped a fine 12 months (including 3 chase wins) when comfortably justifying support in a 5-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (3¼m) in May. Returns only 1 lb above his highest winning mark over fences and no surprise if excellent yard eke a bit more out of him.

Won juvenile handicap/runner-up to a subsequent winner on previous 2 C&D starts. An improved model as a 7-y-o this season. Hard held completing a double at Newton Abbot and only beaten by an unexposed stayer played later over C&D last time. Needs more again off another career-high mark, though.

Won this corresponding event last year (race fell apart) prior to completing a double at Hexham. First-time blinkers/switch to front running saw him emerge from the doldrums when 3¼-length second to Ernest Gray at Bangor latest. Thereabouts if headgear continues to have a positive effect.

Strong traveller who progressed to win 5 times between June-August (including hat-trick success over C&D), his only defeat in that spell when splitting a couple of future winners here. Still in form when beaten 7½ lengths at Perth but he may just be vulnerable to a stronger stayer on these terms.

Doubled his hurdles tally under a positive ride over C&D in November prior to a solid fourth at Cheltenham. Probably in better heart than recent form figures suggest, too, never involved under contrasting tactics here last time. Not discounted if he gets into a rhythm.