3:55 Newbury Tips

Just six runs under rules for the 7yo. He was 6th of 20 in a Grade 1 hurdle last spring at the festival, on just his third hurdle start. Two chase starts, a close 3rd in November after coming off a seven-month break. The form stands up. He won a two-runner beginners' chase at this track last time out, but it was off level weights and he beat a useful 151-rated runner. He'll be fresh after a two-month break. A handicap of 137 looks tempting, and being a previous PTP winner on heavy ground is a positive.

The major step up in trip clearly worked last time out when the horse went down by a short head in a race that has produced several winners since. The even softer ground is likely to suit further here (won on soft over hurdles). The way he finished that race last time suggests he's got the necessary stamina to take this. Harry Cobden would have learned plenty from that run when he perhaps left his charge a little too late. He can make amends here.

It seems like it has only had three runs this season, and the last two followed a second wind operation. Began as a chaser. This time has won both races well and jumped well too. Hasn't been extended yet in Class Three and likes mud. Pipe and Tudor are having success this season.

Won two on the bounce since wind surgery, with victories at Doncaster by a huge thirteen lengths and a two-length win at Exeter most recently. Up just a few more pounds might not be enough to stop the hat-trick.