Has mixed it in good company and last run in August, last year, saw him just touched off in a Newbury handicap. He is 3lb higher now and looks up against it after his lengthy absence.
Winner of four races this year, including a handicap at Chester in July. Went up 6lb for that and was well held on his next two starts. Runs off the same mark and remains vulnerable.
Won two of his first three races, including a handicap on soft going at Newbury, but raced on and off the bridle and probably found the heavy ground against him at Haydock last time. Can do better in first-time cheekpieces.
Useful hurdler who has won both his starts on the Flat, most recently in handicap company at Kempton. Has gone up 5lb, but that is manageable given his progressive profile.
Successful twice and climbed the weights earlier this season, but has looked in the handicapper's grip on recent outings. Has had a break and been dropped 2lb, but he faces a tough task.
Consistent last season, but has had only three runs this term and has been some way below his best. Faces some in-form rivals and needs to up his own game to be competitive.
Wore blinkers for the first time when landing a Chester handicap in good style and probably found 2m on heavy ground stretching his stamina at the same track last time. Back in trip on better ground, he looks a player.
Returned from 15 months on the sidelines when a well-held 10th of 14 at Ascot in July. He is a winning hurdler and this may be a prep run for another campaign over timber.
Enjoyed a successful 2016 season, but has struggled over a variety of distances this term. He has been dropped 10lb since the start of the campaign and is capable of being competitive off this mark if staging a revival in a first-time tongue tie.
Forecasts
Golden Birthday (11/8), Great Sound (7/2), Key Bid (7/2), Kensington Star (10/1), Berrahri (14/1), Zaidiyn (22/1), Continuum (33/1), Multellie (33/1), Icefall (33/1)
A few of these are either out of form or too high in the weights so the finish should rest between Golden Birthday, who is 2-2 on the Flat, Key Bid, who will appreciate this drop in trip, and GREAT SOUND. The selection ran as though he hated the heavy ground last time, but was upwardly mobile before that and may well resume his progress.