GRAND ANNUAL HANDICAP CHASE

4.50: 2 MILES

COEUR SUBLIME would not be the heartiest battler to have ever set foot on a racecourse, but he remains a class act when in the mood and should give promising conditional Ben harvey a good spin back in handicap company.

I fancied the eight-year-old to win this race 12 months ago off a mark of 151, so the decision by connections to run in the Arkle Chase left me baffled. however, everything comes to those that wait and the eight-year-old can prove that a head defeat by Blue Lord at Punchestown last April was no fluke and he will indeed relish the likelihood of a frenetic gallop and big field.

ANDY DUFRESNE has form figures which look more like a Wi-Fi code this term but the first-time tongue tie may be the catalyst to a better showing, while MASKADA will love the ground and may be finishing better than some.