Aintree

Back from 5 months off when taking 5-runner handicap chase at Ayr (16.5f, good to soft, 3/1) 54 days ago. 3 lb rise fair and he remains low mileage in this discipline.

Boasts a fine strike rate, winning 5 of his 9 starts, including a successful chase debut at Ffos Las (16f) in October. Well below that level when third in Warwick handicap (16.2f, soft) latest but has had a wind operation since and remains fairly treated.

Dual bumper winner in France and useful form over hurdles. Runner-up all 4 starts for this yard, including back over fences at Bangor (17.4f) when last seen in May. Can go well fresh and warrants respect on return.

Impressed when winning a brace of Taunton novice hurdles last term and ran a cracker when second on handicap bow here in April, displaying a great attitude. However, has run poorly in both starts since (tendency to pull hard) and has something to prove on chasing bow.