12:20 Newcastle Sat 30 November 2019

Very well-treated over fences from a mark of 120 if able to recapture the form shown for Ruth Jefferson at Haydock (2m3f, good) in May 2018; plausible excuses last season (with the then troubled Donald McCain); market helpful.

Useful hurdler (and dual Newcastle bumper scorer); arguably hasn't fulfilled his potential over fences - rated 6lb lower than when finishing third to Skipthescales on chasing debut here (3m) last December; made mistakes on Kelso comeback run.

Won on chasing debut at Catterick (2m3f, good) last November, but things have gone rather pear-shaped since (0-5); further eased in the weights for seasonal reappearance and is a heavy ground course hurdles scorer (at 2m).

Returned to form with back-to-back wins over 3m in Market Rasen and Hexham in August/September (on good ground); flaky since, including over hurdles at Aintree (3m, soft) latest; others make considerably more appeal.

Best served by a test of stamina on soft ground (a 2m4f Hexham novice hurdle winner) and has always looked to be a future chaser; thankfully rose from a heavy fall (was beaten at the time) at Kelso three weeks ago; cheekpieces now applied.

6-26 over fences but has generally struggled for form since finishing second to Willie Boy at Wetherby (2m3½f, good to soft) on Boxing Day - now sits 10lb below his last winning mark; stablemate of Robbing The Prey.

Took time to get his act together over hurdles although admittedly was on the up in that sphere in early 2019; flashed his tail when in full control on chasing debut at Carlisle (2m5f, heavy) in March; is now rated 9lb higher.

Effective at this track; travelled smoothly into contention and delivered the goods over C&D (heavy) a fortnight ago - beat My Manekineko by 2¾L; there's no obvious reason as to why he shouldn't run well off a 4lb higher mark.