Persimmon Homes South Midlands Handicap Chase

Steadily progressive over hurdles last term, scoring at Stratford and Newton Abbot. Shaped as if amiss sent chasing at Kempton and fell next start but much more like it when second to a well-treated rival over 20f here last month. Up in trip.

Won twice over hurdles last season and produced a career best when making a winning start over fences over C&D last month. Held back by errors back here 17 days ago and he needs to cut that habit out.

Successful 3 times over hurdles during 2022 and sprouted wings over fences in recent months, completing the hat-trick at Bangor (3m, good). Rare laboured display over C&D 17 days ago but he's fancied to bounce back.

Really got his act together in 2022, winning 4 staying handicap chases on the bounce. Patchy form since, but he's below his last successful mark and a couple of runner-up efforts confirm he's back on good nick.

Capitalised on a freefalling mark in no uncertain terms when running away with a 3m handicap chase at Bangor (good) in May. Similar form when second at Stratford a fortnight later and fared about as well as could be expected from out of the weights latest.

Fair winner at 20f over hurdles but extremely lightly raced over fences in recent times and he has an awful lot to prove.

Bounced back following a couple of tame efforts when landing a Warwick handicap (25f, good to firm) over hurdles in May. Fair start to chase career when third at Uttoxeter a month ago and no surprise were he to build on that.

Made it 4-4 over fences at Ffos Las when landing a 23.8f handicap (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces in December. Form has gone the wrong way since then, merely plugging on for third of 5 at Market Rasen 18 days ago.