Northumberland Day Handicap Chase

Wide margin Newcastle winner (2m7½f, good) last month from 6lb lower but jumping was ponderous at times when sent off as favourite at Sedgefield (3m2½f, good) last time out and finishing 7½L fourth from today's mark. Probably better than that and not ruled out from this mark with a more fluent round.

Has rarely threatened to win races, his sole success being three years ago, though he did make the frame at Musselburgh (3m, good) in December from this mark in a stronger race than this, before being well beaten over shorter last time. That might have put him straight after a break and he could again go well here.

Has done well in point-to-points, but so far unable to transfer that success into rules races and it is now well over two years since he made the frame in a Musselburgh maiden hurdle (3m½f, good). Failed to threaten in two recent chase starts and now runs for new yard and from career low mark. Market check advised.

Point-to-point winner who has made the frame five times from 13 starts under rules without getting his nose in front. Beaten just a neck from 1lb higher over 4m (soft) here in March. Tends to want a little bit of ease in the ground to be at his best, but could still get competitive now back here.

Was a 5L winner over C&D last month from 14lb lower and not disgraced when returning a couple of weeks ago and finishing 6L runner-up from 3lb lower than today. Should again be competitive, though rising mark is a concern looking at his CV.

2-13 over fences, his last success being at Downpatrick on October 2015. Was competitive from today's mark over hurdles at Sedgefield (3m3f, good) in March but comfortably held twice since. Conditions should suit and can't be ruled out now back over fences, though equally hard to be confident about him.

Has 5L to find with Apache Pilot from their running here last month, but now has a 9lb pull at the actual racing weights carried. That represented a welcome return to form for this veteran and if he can reproduce that effort he will have every chance. Without a win for three years, however, so does carry risks.

Sole chase win was at Sedgefield, where he has run a lot of his better races, but has not yet produced a good one here. Runner-up at Sedgefield (3m2½f, good) two starts ago from 1lb lower but pulled up last time and has a fair bit to prove at this venue.

Has failed to complete in any of his last four starts and now changed hands to this yard, whose runners are going well enough. Headgear added and out of the handicap, but first try on good ground here and you wouldn't rule out a better effort. Market check advised though still plenty of risks involved.