JAI LEI 5

J’ai Froid returns to form at Leicester

J’Ai Froid returned to form on ground he likes under a good front running ride from John Kington . Hopefully he can build on this when stepped up in trip again.

J'AI FROID, without a win since rattling off a four-timer between 3m and 3m2f in early 2021, took advantage of his plummeting handicap mark on ground that suits, strong in the closing stages. Rated as high as 147 two years ago, it'll be fascinating to see if can build on this. He'll obviously have the option of going back up in trip.

CI PER 5

Captain Ivan follows up at Perth

Raised 8lbs by the handicapper for his recent Southwell win, Captain Ivan won a shade cleverly under a fine ride from Paddy Cowley to keep the yard momentum going.

CAPTAIN IVAN went up 8lb following his recent easy success at Southwell. He bided his time in running down the long-time leader and took control just before the winning line. He is clearly thriving and will remain one to consider when he goes for the hat-trick

And TN MR5

And The New wins Market Rasen Feature

And The New continued his good run of form to win The Summer Plate Trial at Market Rasen under a fine positive ride from Adam Wedge.

AND THE NEW, unsuited by the track and drop back in trip at Cartmel last time, bounced right back to his best, winning a shade cosily. The Summer Plate will demand more but he's in cracking form and it'll be no surprise to see this veteran in the mix.

ATN MR 5

And The New returns to form

And The New bounced back to form at Market Rasen in first time cheeck pieces under a comfortable ride from Adam Wedge.

AND THE NEW has been nowhere near his best in four runs since his seasonal debut in the class 2 Castleford chase at Wetherby (2m,soft) in December. Now 20lb below his mark that day, and with cheekpieces fitted for the first time he took full advantage of the drop in class to win very easily, albeit in a race were only 8 fences were jumped. He'll get reassessed now, but has a bit in hand if this signals a return to something near his best.

WID PER 5

Whistleinthedark makes it 4 from 4

Whistleinthedark made the long journey to Perth worthwhile by making it 4 from 4 over fences this season, all in the capable hands of Patrick Cowley

WHISTLEINTHEDARK, who held an alternative entry at Punchestown this week, didn't have too much difficulty making it 4-4 over fences despite the hood being left off. Ridden by Patrick Cowley each time, he's already gone up 25lb since going chasing and is on the verge of smart form.

WID KEM 5

Whistleinthedark stays on well at Kempton

QUOTES: WHISTLEINTHEDARK has been going well since he went chasing and I was hopeful coming here today. He’s been progressive and I think he’ll go to Aintree next month for a handicap – Laura Morgan, trainer.

WHISTLEINTHEDARK was dropping in trip, but the rain that fell beforehand made this more of a test. Always up with the pace before taking over with a mile left, he looked to be a sitting duck for the runner-up coming to the last, but his stamina came in useful and he kept on pulling out more on the run in to make it 3-3 over regulation fences. Winner of a two-runner novice chase last time, he was 21lb higher than when successful in a novices' handicap the time before which shows how much he is improving.