MS Amlin Handicap Chase

Course winner over hurdles nut has yet to win over fences in five starts although probably ran his best race around here on his second fencing start. Ran a fair race last timeout in a slightly better contest and despite his rather dodgy attitude is hard to ignore on his favourite course.

Slipped a long way in the weights of late but not really showing that much aptitude for fences and unseated his rider early on last time. Handicapper drops him further here (another 4lb) but still hard to recommend.

A record of 1/21 over fences hardly inspires confidence even at this lowly level. Still 7lb above his last winning mark and was well below form on his latest start.

Heavily gambled on his second start in handicaps over hurdles (raced too freely) and repeated that trick the next time out when falling. Showed improved form to get off the mark over 2m3f here on chasing debut (settled better although not fully) before shaping better than his recent third. Travels well and extra distance may have stretched his stamina and should remain competitive off this mark over shorter.

Form over fences so far has been poor and the headgear (cheekpieces) go on for the first time in a bid to find some improvement. Runs off a career low mark but that might not make much difference on the evidence shown so far over fences.

Last four starts have come around this course with the last two over fences. Pulled-up in both of those starts and even at this lowly level hard to recommend anything better here.