Pateese bounced back to form last time out and at 5/1 looks the one they all have to beat in the 3.10 at Cheltenham.
Philip Hobbs’ charge looked a handicapper to follow when slamming a competitive field in a handicap at Sandown back in November with consummate ease off a mark of 128.
However the handicapper had his say and put him up to 140 and he failed to progress as expected in his next four outings.
But he has gradually eased back down the weights and showed that his time was near again when bouncing back to form with a solid run in the Martin Pipe Conditionals at the Cheltenham Festival last time out when 7th of 24 to Attaglance.
The seven-year-old stayed ion well that day from way off the pace to be beaten just 5 1/2 lengths and the winner has franked the form by following up at Aintree.
The assessor has been kind by dropping him anther 2lb to a mark of 134 following that effort, and that gives him every chance of getting back in the winners’ enclosure.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Pateese (5/1 generally available – use BOG firms)