Jumped well when winning at Newcastle last December and highly tried after that last season, sent off just 8/1 when down the field in Grade 3 handicap on National Day when last seen. Stable took this last year and will welcome this easier grade.
Won a pair of minor staying events around this time last year but let down by jumping when last seen at Sedgefield last time and has since left Phllip Hobbs. Headgear and tongue-tie normally worn left off here.
Plenty of good ground wins in the past but has taken his form to another level of late with two recent wins at Carlisle including on soft ground 10 days ago. 3lb well in here despite his penalty and will take plenty of beating if repeating that.
Best effort last season when second here on first run for this yard but failed to build on that in two subsequent runs and losing run now stretches back to 2016. No great record after a break and others make more appeal.
Something of a Hexham specialist with both career wins there. Yet to race beyond 2m4f but shapes as though this longer trip could bring about improvement though below form when last seen here in May and this a step up in class.
Forecasts
Bafana Blue (7/4), Polydora (15/8), Capard King (11/2), Sophie Olivia (6/1), Scoop The Pot (12/1)
BAFANA BLUE arrives here in the form of his life and if this doesn't come too soon after his win last week, he can complete the hat-trick at the expense of Polydora who was highly tried after his Newcastle win last season and looks the type to do better this term. Sophie Olivia takes a step up in trip and class but may do best of the rest.