A competitive Class 5 handicap chase sees It’s A Breeze bid to follow up last week’s impressive course-and-distance success in a race where several familiar rivals meet again. With good ground and a relatively small field of eight, the tactical battle could prove just as important as raw ability.

Paul Nicholls’ It’s A Breeze arrives as the horse on the upgrade after making virtually all to win comfortably over this track and trip just six days ago. Still relatively inexperienced over fences, he produced a career-best performance on just his fourth chase start and, despite carrying a 7lb penalty, Paddy Hanlon’s valuable 5lb claim helps offset much of the extra burden. If allowed another uncontested lead, he looks the one they all have to beat.

The chief threat may come from Chief Black Robe, whose recent form has been mixed but whose best efforts this season suggest he remains well capable of winning from his current mark. The return to this shorter trip could suit the veteran, and if rediscovering the level of his Stratford or Market Rasen performances, he has the class to make the favourite work.

The Gypsy Davey was runner-up behind It’s A Breeze over this course and distance last week and is unlikely to be far away if reproducing that effort. Although consistency has never been his strongest asset, he handles the track well and another honest performance would put him firmly in the frame.

Among the outsiders, Senor Diaz is one to note as an unexposed chaser who hinted at improvement when third over this course in May. He still has relatively few runs over fences and could take another step forward. Flashy Boy also retains some untapped potential after limited chasing experience, but he has plenty to prove after failing to complete on his rules chase debut.

The remaining trio all have questions to answer. Watchoutitscookie has struggled for form over hurdles in recent starts, Emberscombe has yet to transfer smart pointing ability to racing under rules, while Chillhi makes his chasing debut after a prolonged spell of disappointing performances under both codes.

With no obvious abundance of early pace, the race could favour those racing prominently. That scenario plays perfectly into the hands of It’s A Breeze, whose fluent jumping and front-running display here last week suggested there may still be more to come. Unless one of his rivals can force him into an uncomfortable rhythm, he looks well placed to complete a quick course-and-distance double.

Prediction: It’s A Breeze can confirm last week’s superiority over The Gypsy Davey, with Chief Black Robe fancied to emerge as the principal danger if the drop back in trip sparks a return to his best.

1. It’s A Breeze
2. Chief Black Robe
3. The Gypsy Davey