His trainer Nicky Richards said:

“It’s the first time he’s dropped into such a low a grade for a season on two so you’d be disappointed if he wasn’t good enough. We’re aiming him at the Grand Annual at the Festival so this is a nice race to use as a stepping-stone to see where we are with him.”

Among the opposition up against the top-weight is Get Out The Gate, a strapping gelding trained by Jim Goldie who was sixth in the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh earlier this month.

Also in the line-up is Keith Dalgleish-trained Monsieur Co who was fourth in the same race at Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend. The Racing Gonorth 20-22 March Handicap Hurdle over 2m 3f sees Paul Nicholls after more course prize money after his five winners across the two-day SCT fixture.

Nicholls teams up with Nineohtwooneoh ridden by Harry Cobden and the West Country combination are also represented by Christopher Wood in the Handicap hurdle over two miles.