Croco Bay is back in light exercise with a spring campaign on the horizon.

The eight-year-old, from Ben Case’s Edgcote stables, near Banbury, turned what looked a competitive handicap chase at Ascot in November into a procession when winning by 19 lengths.

He has an entry in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase should anything happen to the likes of Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy between now and then, but is more likely to run in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase.

After that, Sandown’s Celebration Chase is set to be on his agenda.

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“He’s had a nice break but is now back cantering,” said Case. “Whether he has a run before Cheltenham, I haven’t decided yet.

“He has an entry in the Champion Chase, but that is more in hope that a few of the main protagonists fall by the wayside.

“He’s not over-big, but he’s into the category now where he’s going to have to carry a lot of weight in handicaps.”

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