Bedmax Handicap Chase

Not added to the hat-trick that he completed when with Jonjo O'Neill in 2014 and has not been easy to keep sound since. Handicapper now giving him a squeak as he goes into this 4lb lower than when beaten just a head at Cartmel this time last year. Interesting.

Sole chase success was in Ireland three years ago and went closest to winning in Britain at Sedgefield in September from 8lb higher. Hinted at a return to form last time and a market check would probably be prudent as he could have an each-way shout.

Won a Downpatrick handicap hurdle (2m7f, good) last summer but made no impact in two attempts over fences in the autumn. Not easy to be clear about his chances here with trip and ground to suit but a poor run of form and inexperience over fences to cope with. Market check perhaps best advice.

Both wins over hurdles were in 2014, one of them here over 2m6½f (good). Has struggled to find gears over fences and is 0-14, with six placed runs to his name. Goes from same mark as when beaten just a neck at Carlisle last month over a similar trip and likely to be thereabouts.

Went well from this mark in defeat at Catterick two starts ago. Disappointed for the second time in as many starts at Sedgefield last time, so it may just be that the track there does not suit and no reason why he cant get back to being competitive. Each-way claims.

Eased-down 16/1 shock 7L winner over 3m3½f at Stratford last time when conditions were as described here. That ended a miserable run of form and was his third win from a mark of 74. He has only once eclipsed that (79) and so the chances of a follow up today from 9lb higher look less attractive.

Doesn't find winning easy with just 2-34, one over fences (3m, good) at Hexham last spring from 2lb lower. Keeps finding a couple too good and from 1lb out of the handicap the same looks likely today.