Vertem Handicap Chase

Has a 25% career win strike rate including success on heavy ground in France and was made favourite when a three-length runner-up to Ubaltique at Haydock (soft) last month. Up a further 2lb for that, but is a consistent sort who can be relied upon to run his race and should again be in the shake-up.

7lb lower than when scoring on heavy ground at Ayr over a similar trip last March. On the face of it that looks attractive, though hasn't really shown in recent runs that a return to winning form is imminent and yard's runners not red hot at present.

Both wins have been on good to soft, though has run well on very testing ground. Capable of being heavily involved from today's mark and given his inconsistent profile it should not be a major concern that he threw in a poor run last time.

Enjoyed a cracking winter over hurdles last season, winning three out of four and going close in the other, rising from 91 to 120 in that sphere as a result. Was readied to win a novices' chase at the first time of asking at Hexham (2m, heavy) in December and had too much on his plate behind the talented Starchitect at Ayr last time. The runner immediately ahead of him that day has since won, so despite the lengthy defeat, he is likely to be much more at home in this company and a return to form could be on the cards.