D Day 80th Anniversary 6th June Handicap Chase

Three-time winner over hurdles who has upped his game since switched to this sphere, latest when good second of 6 in novice chase (7/1) at Warwick (20f, good) 22 days ago. Fairly treated, back handicapping, and is one for shortlist.

All 6 career victories have come in small fields and he was more miss than hit (mostly over fences) last season. Plenty to prove at present.

Useful chaser for Tom Taaffe who was able to defy a lay-off of fully 32 months to win selling handicap hurdle on the bridle at Huntingdon in November. Rather gone backwards since, however, well held in a Ludlow hunter chase latest.

Prolific early in his chasing career (winning 5 of his first 6 starts) but lost his way last season. Tumbled down the weights and hinted at a revival over a longer trip at Uttoxeter last month but percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Showed fair winning form over hurdles and ran to a similar level when making his fifth start in this sphere a winning one in Hereford handicap (20.9f, good to soft) 9 days ago. This is more competitive but he must enter calculations.

Immediate improvement upon joining James Owen, scoring for fifth time at Catterick (19.2f) in March and backing it up with solid placed efforts at Fontwell (19.5f) and Cartmel (21.2f). Takes on better company now but should give another good account.

Hacked up in a selling handicap here in April and followed up over C&D in decisive fashion 11 days later. Off career-high mark on debut for new yard but can't be ruled out.

Back on the up, under positive tactics, when winning 10-runner handicap chase at Newton Abbot (21f, good to firm, 8/1) 13 days ago, kept up to work. 7 lb higher and in a stronger contest here, however.