Awarded a Grade 1 contest following interference at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) last December. Finished runner-up over the same C&D on his only subsequent outing. Won this race in both 2014 and 2015 and finished runner-up 12 months ago.
In good form winning twice over 2m1f at Stratford during the summer. Saw off Theflyingportrait by 6L on good ground in July and is one to note despite a 6lb rise in the weights.
Recorded his first victory over fences when winning a 2m graduation chase on soft ground at Carlisle last November. Absent since and interesting to see how he fares on handicap debut in this sphere.
Promising third in a 3m handicap chase at Perth (good) on his return from a break recently. Well handicapped on his old form and is effective over this distance.
Finished runner-up to Vosne Romanee in a 2m1f handicap chase at Stratford (good) in July. Disappointed on soft ground since and races from 2lb out of the handicap.
Forecasts
Vosne Romanee (11/4), Vaniteux (11/4), Nuts Well (10/3), Simply Ned (4/1), Theflyingportrait (5/1)
VOSNE ROMANEE has been in great form so far this season and can register a third consecutive victory by taking this valuable handicap chase. Simply Ned, a dual winner of this race in the past can finish runner-up ahead of Nuts Well who is the least experienced chaser in the field and is making his seasonal debut.