Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Placed over hurdles when raced in France he made a winning debut over fences on his first run in GB helped by a big weight-for-age allowance. Got back to winning ways on his first start as a five-year-old at Taunton again in handicap company. Has been stepped up in class since that win, taking in two Grade 2 events shaping well at Wetherby over 3m in the first of them. Failed to stay when running over 4m at Cheltenham last time out and never really settled. Drops down to 3m here but faces another tough test.

Very consistent sort despite only winning one of his chase starts a small field novice at Downpatrick by 10L in September. A beaten favourite on his next start, he had just one run after that when beaten at Cheltenham before being put away for the Festival. An early casualty in the RSA (unseated at the third), he played an unwitting role in the finish being the loose horse to get Might Bite going again when he looked to falter on the run-in.

Has really taken off on his second attempt at chasing and has really progressed this season. But for a crashing fall when he was well clear in a Grade 1 chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, he would be unbeaten in his last four starts. Bounced back well from what was a heavy fall, winning the RSA putting up a top-class performance despite only winning narrowly after his antics on the run-on. Clearly a quirky sort but very talented and will be hard to beat here.

Dual chase winner having had one chase start as a four-year-old in France and looked to build on his progressive form over hurdles. Stepped up in class in his last three chase starts, all in Graded company with the last over this trip at Kempton Park finishing second. Still not quite matched his earlier chasing form though and faces another exacting test in this race coming back from a long break.

All his three starts this season over fences have come at Cheltenham and he won the first two over 2m4f showing potential each time beating small fields. His latest attempt over fences saw him try 3m for the first time in that sphere (won over hurdles at the trip) and he ran a gallant second in the RSA to finish second to Might Bite. Probably flattered by how close he got there and his jumping will again be put to the test here, although he should again run well.