Runner-up off this mark in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, heavy) in March; he needs to prove he's just as good over hurdles but he ran creditably when second of four in Grade 2 hurdle at Wetherby (3m, good) on his reappearance and is not ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.
Won competitive Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham (3m, good) in October 2022 and was then absent until Galway (2m6f, yielding to soft) last month, when he kept on for an encouraging fifth and was the subject of a running and riding inquiry; no surprise if he plays a leading role today.
Point winner (3m, soft to heavy) who scored on rules debut at Kelso (2m6f, good to soft) last November and made it 2-3 over hurdles with commanding Grade 2 novice win at Doncaster (3m, good) in January; absent since but has considerable potential, and yard's horses often go well fresh.
Won earlier this year on first three runs for Dan Skelton (2m7f/3m, heavy/good to soft), the last two under Charlie Todd and the latest coming with plenty in hand in 21-runner handicap at Aintree's National meeting; 11lb higher than last time and lacks a recent run, but respected nevertheless.
Good-ground bumper winner who made it 2-3 over hurdles when making all in Warwick novice (2m5f, soft) in November 2023; returned from absence with fair fifth on handicap debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month and this unexposed 5yo could have more to offer.
Irish-trained 8yo who has won five of his 17 starts; absent since unseating over fences last December but he goes well fresh and was in top form previously, with easy wins under Mark McDonagh at Limerick (2m3f, soft; fences) and Punchestown (3m, soft; hurdles); interesting contender.
Useful on the Flat (effective on soft/heavy early in career) and he won over C&D in May to complete handicap hurdle hat-trick (3m, good to soft/good); went up the weights but his comeback third at Cheltenham (3m, good) four weeks ago was a fair performance and this 5yo could improve for that run.
Won two in a row in the spring (2m/2m4f) and improved for the step up to 3m to win by 5l at Cheltenham last Saturday; this lightly raced 6yo is ahead of the handicapper under a 5lb penalty and holds strong claims; his improvement has come on good/good to soft ground but he's shown promise on soft.
Returned from a break with a comfortable, all-the-way win in six-runner handicap at Ayr (3m, good) three weeks ago; also effective on soft ground; that was a career best and further improvement can't be ruled out, but she's gone up 7lb and this race is a much tougher test of her credentials.
Made it a remarkable nine wins (heavy-good to soft) from his last ten starts when scoring at Chepstow (2m7f) last December; it's possible he has more left in the tank but he's in a much more competitive race on this first outing of the year, and his form needs to go to a new level.
Point and bumper winner who is 0-4 over hurdles; his fair fourth on handicap debut at Worcester (2m4f, soft) in September doesn't suggest he's the one to be on today but this Irish challenger represents last year's winning connections and market strength could precede an improved performance.
9yo who snapped 12-race losing sequence when narrowly exploiting reduced mark on reappearance at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; needs a bigger performance now back up in grade but he remains well treated on his old form and should be fine now back up in trip; not discounted.
Lightly raced 6yo whose in-form trainer has won this four times since 2010; easily won Chepstow novice (2m, soft) in April but merely sixth on handicap debut at Ayr (2m, soft) 18 days later and there's a big stamina question to answer today (not obviously bred for this sort of trip).
Made it three wins from his four handicaps (2m5f/3m, heavy-good to soft) when scoring on last month's return at Newton Abbot; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a tougher race, while Harry Skelton rides stablemate Doyen Quest, but he's clearly thriving and could play another leading role.
Won in the spring on first two starts for yard (soft/heavy, including C&D) and reappeared with solid second in Newton Abbot novice (2m5f, heavy); open to further improvement for trainer who won the big handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last Saturday, and the forecast rain would boost his claims.
3m point winner who was consistent in novice hurdles in the spring, winning at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) in March and runner-up there (2m6f, good to soft) in May; again stayed on well when fifth of 17 in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) on handicap debut; he was soundly beaten but that latest form has worked out well and the step up to 3m could bear fruit.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
