His March second at Hereford over three miles and a furlong, beaten three lengths on good ground, gives him a credible chance at this trip. He has failed to complete twice since, falling at Ffos Las in April and pulling up there over three miles on 14 October. Both those runs came on good to soft, while today's good ground brings him back to the conditions of his better Hereford effort. A mark of 98 is just 1lb above his Hereford rating, leaving him feasibly treated if he can reproduce that March performance.

His Hereford hurdle win on 13 October came over today's three miles and one and a half furlongs, offering encouragement on the distance. He has been well beaten twice since, most recently finishing fourth at Worcester on 1 November, beaten 18 and three quarters of a length. Returning to fences after just two days is demanding, especially after pulled-up efforts in his Exeter chases in January and March 2025. David Bass brings a positive through his recent riding form, with three winners from 12 mounts during the past fortnight.

Went close at Stratford on 17 October, finishing second by half a length over two miles and six and a half furlongs on good ground. He is 2lb higher now, and the extra three furlongs puts more emphasis on stamina than that latest assignment did. His third over this course and distance in November 2025, beaten seven and a quarter lengths on good ground, offers encouragement for the longer trip. A Warwick second in April came in Class 4 from 83, so today's Class 5 assignment from 79 also gives him a reasonable chance.