Stephex Horse Trucks Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Largely creditable efforts over hurdles/fences since joining this yard, making it 3-6 in this sphere when driven out to land a 5-runner handicap at Ludlow (2m, good) last month. 5 lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from completing the hat-trick.

Useful handicap chaser at best but little impact in handful of starts for Gordon Elliott and he's not looked a winner in waiting in 5 starts for current connections. Others preferred.

Fairly useful form over fences in France and, having shown encouragement on first chase start for current yard in November, he hit the target at Newcastle (16.3f, good to soft) 2 months later. Second in a 4-runner handicap over the same C&D next time and possibilities here off the same mark.

Back-to-back winner at Hexham last spring and added to his tally when striking over C&D on his seasonal reappearance in October. However, form has dipped since and there no signs of an imminent revival at Newcastle a fortnight ago.

In fine form since September, runner-up at Sedgefield and Southwell before winning 4 on the bounce over hurdles/fences at the former course. Thwarted in his bid for the five-timer when last seen in December and now 8 lb above last winning mark but he will nevertheless be a threat if fully tuned-up.