Annie Barrett Birthday Handicap Chase

Formerly useful at best but clearly had his problems and folded tamely at Newbury last time. Tough to recommend despite tumbling mark.

Below best at Chepstow latest but had registered his second win over fences here previously and is still on a workable mark. Shortlisted.

Not the easiest to catch right but shaped as if back to form when second in handicap chase at Hereford (25.2f, good to soft) last month and is one of the likelier contenders.

Showed improved form when winning handicap chases here and Newton Abbot this time last year but well below that form in 3 starts since and has plenty to prove at present.

Still looking for first success and hasn't progressed from his promising debut over fences, coming down before the race unfolded at Wetherby latest.

Only raced 5 times under Rules, winning back-to-back handicap chases (at up to 26f) in autumn of 2021. Not seen since but he reappears off a handy mark and must enter calculations, particularly if the market vibes are strong.

Best effort of any description when second of 12 in handicap chase at this course (26.3f) in December but failed to complete in his other 3 attempts over fences and percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Appears to be of little account and hopes for improvement may rest on recent wind operation. 5 lb out of the handicap.