Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Immediate improvement switched to fences for this yard, winning novice handicaps on first 3 starts before excellent 3¼ lengths second of 7 to Stage Star in Grade 1 Turners at Festival here (2½m) final start. Revised mark of 152 on the high side but remains unexposed.

Smart chaser. Best effort when winning the Red Rum at Aintree in April. Respectable 3½ lengths second of 4 to Easy Game in minor event chase at at Listowel (19f, good, 5/1) 2 months later. Respected.

Very progressive over fences, making all with a bold-jumping display at Doncaster in December before showing further improvement when landing a valuable pot at Warwick (heavy) following month. Off since (through injury) but remains of firm interest.

Encouraging start for this yard (previously trained by Sam Thomas) after 6 months off when fourth on belated return to hurdles at Chepstow. Should come on for that and potentially on a good mark.

Useful chaser who gained a third win in that sphere in 2m Wetherby handicap in February. Only seventh both starts since, including at Market Rasen on return.

Fairly useful ex-French winning hurdler. Easy winner on chasing/yard debut at Hereford (2m, soft) in December. Best effort since when second of 3 in handicap chase at Southwell (15.8f, soft). Off 6 months.

Gained his breakthrough success over fences in 2m4f handicap at Wincanton in April and followed up with a career best at Kempton later that month. Up 10 lb but can make his presence felt again on return.

Latest win in chase at Tramore in June. Couple of good placed efforts after before let down by a rare jumping lapse at Listowel. Proved he was none the worse when going close back over hurdles at Fairyhouse 3 weeks ago.

Fairly useful chaser who was in good form over hurdles during the spring, landing the odds in a Ludlow novice (15.8f, good). Followed up back over fences at Fontwell on return 3 weeks ago but 5 lb higher in much better race now.

Multiple winner in France for David Cottin and posted best effort for Tom Symonds when second of 6 in handicap chase (11/4) at this course (16.3f, good), travelling strongly. Off 6 months and 1 lb out of handicap.

Fairly useful form over fences in France, neck second of 6 in claimer at Auteuil last time, leading till last few strides. Claimed from Y. Fouin €25,555 after. 3 lb out of handicap on U.K bow.