racinguk.com/daypass Handicap Chase

Spent 19 months on the sidelines before returning with a comfortable 7L success over C&D last time out (good). Raised a fair looking 8lb for that and if he doesn't suffer the dreaded 'bounce' after that then he will be very tough to topple.

Comes here chasing a protracted hat-trick after back-to-back wins at Catterick last season. Been off for 15 months and has a rise of 5lb to contend with, taking on a couple of rivals with race fitness. Having said that, the top weight managed to overcome the same sort of odds here last time, so best to check the market for clues.

0-13 and looked to be in the grip of the assessor before taking a winter break. That will have had to have done him the power of good to enable him to win this and not easy to fancy today.

Got closer to winning last time out at Kelso after a slide in the weights and a further 1lb drop today will do no harm to his chance. Couldn't completely rule out an end to his winning drought, but looks to have found a better handicapped opponent.