Unable to cope with step up in class last time, so should appreciate the return to a grade in which he won at Southwell in December. 4lb higher today and likely that a career best will be needed to defy topweight.
Not seen much action for one his age and not won a race since November 2014 when with Venetia Williams. Now 8lb lower than that and it would be a surprise if this trainer is not able to exploit a mark like this in the near future.
Originally rated 135 on his British debut, but it has been a tale of what might have been as he has slipped right down to 109 here. No form in a long time to recommend him for this and only a significant market move could get us interested.
Won here over 2m1f in July when with Dan Skelton, but he has never been a factor in any of his seven starts since the autumn and impossible to recommend him until there is a hint of a return to form.
2lb worse off with Scooter Boy for beating his 1L over C&D last time and is therefore entitled to plenty of respect once again. Won from today's mark over hurdles last spring and has a major chance.
Both career wins have come in Leicester chases over a similar trip on heavy ground, but the handicapper has had his measure since the second of those and that is likely to continue for the time being.
Non-Runners
2
Scooter Boy15
Weight: 11-9| Age: 8
T: A M Hales J: Kielan Woods
WD
Forecasts
Box Office (5/2), Karisma King (5/2), The Clock Leary (7/2), Scooter Boy (7/2), Some Finish (6/1), Lemon's Gent (10/1), Ulis De Vassy (20/1)
Keep and eye on the market with regard to The Clock Leary, who is now looking more attractively handicapped but is not in the best of recent form. The same does not apply, however, to Scooter Boy or KARISMA KING and the latter is just taken to confirm placings with the former, despite being 2lb worse off that when they met here recently.