A fiendishly-difficult handicap chase could go the way of STOLEN SILVER, who departed three out in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting. The Sam Thomas-trained grey was reported to be lame after the race and was previously a course-and-distance scorer. It would be folly to rule out further improvement from this progressive type.

One who also catches the eye from an each-way perspective is SIMPLY THE BETTS, who has a 15lb pull in the weights with the aforementioned from their running at this track in April. He boasts excellent course form and could challenge for a long way with his prominent race style, from what appears an attractive handicap mark.

The concluding ITV race is a thoroughly competitive affair. ABUFFALOSOLDIER arrives after a determined success in a Newbury handicap hurdle over this distance. The Mahler gelding beat a subsequent winner and looks to have strong credentials after a small rise in the weights.

The concluding ITV race is a thoroughly competitive affair. ABUFFALOSOLDIER arrives after a determined success in a Newbury handicap hurdle over this distance. The Mahler gelding beat a subsequent winner and looks to have strong credentials after a small rise in the weights.