Course specialist Jefferies can win the Mendip Plywood Chase at Taunton for the second year running today. He has four victories at the track to his credit and makes more appeal than several in-form rivals who may be caught out by demands of the tight Somerset circuit.

Jefferies' fitness has to be taken on trust, as he is making his reappearance. But he has won first time out twice previously and may well have been trained with this event in mind by Jim Old, after his success in 1998.

The 10-year-old will also be suited by the decision to put the distance of the race up from three miles to 27 furlongs this year.

Jefferies races off a mark only 2 lb. higher than 12 months ago and can lift this "Showcase Handicap" at the principal expense of Saxon Duke and Country Store - who would both be better on a more galloping course.