Matchbook Betting Exchange Dam Buster Handicap Chase

Former French racer who has won three times since switched to these shores, last winning a Grade 2 Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in April 2016. Faced some tough tasks since including at the Cheltenham Festival, but could have done more overall and was well beaten latest (pulled up) when bidding to follow up his Cheltenham success for the second year in succession. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

Once with Micky Hammond and Brian Ellison, but won for this trainer over the Christmas period at Wetherby (Castleford Chase, 2m good to soft). Mixed it in good company since from higher marks at Aintree and Ayr, and posted a solid enough effort over this sort of trip at Stratford recently when runner up to Days Of Heaven. Course hurdles winner.

Led close home despite being 2L down at the last when making a winning chasing debut at Wincanton in February (2m heavy) and visually could be suited by this longer trip. Raced mainly over 2m over hurdles that said (winning twice), and despite being 7lb higher will be suited by any further rain that arrives.

Did well during the summer of 2016 notching a five timer over fences which saw his mark rise from 97 to 129. Most of those successes were on decent ground, so excessive rain won't be ideal, but in good heart and bounced back from an unseat in the Topham at Aintree when caught close home by Opening Batsman at Fontwell last month.

Fast ground winner at Ludlow in October 2016 (2m) and only 3lb higher with his best subsequent run coming on his penultimate start at the same Shropshire venue when 9L second to Ifandbutwhynot. On the whole others appear slightly stronger.