A horse who really had his breakthrough season last time, winning three races on the bounce at Ascot including the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in the soft ground in fine style by 2 lengths, staying in stoutly to the line.
He was a game winner over hurdles last time out at Newbury in the soft conditions again, making it a real test from the front to win by half a length.
The winning margin not doing him any justice on his last run, in the same class of race but over the smaller obstacles, which he steps back up to the larger fences in this race on Sunday.
Hes expected to play his usual tactics of making the race a real war of attrition, with a few of these in behind might not be able to keep up with him in the tougher conditions, the younger horse could be quite hard to peg back in this competitive race.
Three-time winner over fences last season, including a Grade 1 Ascot Chase, had two runs already this season including a front running win at Newbury over
Hurdles last time out, that will put him more than right for this.
Expected to run very well for inform connections.