Won two in a row last March (2m1f/1m7f, heavy/soft) before creditable second of 24 in handicap at the Punchestown festival (2m, yielding); returned with solid second of three in Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in November and could give a good account, despite his lofty mark.
He won a good handicap at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in December 2023 (has also won on soft) and he was returning from a year off when a fair fourth of eight at Kempton (2m, good to soft); this lightly raced 7yo could still have more to offer and he's a possible player.
2-2 in juvenile hurdles last term (including on very soft ground in France) and won in good style on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in November; has gone up 8lb for his short-head defeat at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) but this unexposed 5yo could continue to progress; big chance.
9yo who made it 7-18 when comfortably making all on his reappearance in a small field at Sandown (2m, heavy) last month; however, he's 7lb higher this afternoon and could be vulnerable in this more competitive race, having failed to kick on after making a winning reappearance last season.
Plenty of promise during light novice hurdle campaign last season and he reappeared with a good second in a competitive handicap at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in November; this unexposed 7yo could have more left in the tank.
Enhanced his excellent record at Kelso when winning by 4l there last month (2m, soft); has a progressive profile and he has run well away from Kelso (third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr last April), but he was well beaten in the Greatwood two starts ago and is back up in grade here.
Second in Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Kempton (2m, soft) last February and won a good 4yo hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) in October; switched to hold-up tactics when soundly beaten in 4yo Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding) latest; retains potential but has to prove he's up to this opening mark.
He's just 1lb higher than when winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) last March; reappeared with fair fifth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle but two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.
On a competitive mark on his best hurdle/chase form and he reappeared with a fair second at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month behind a progressive winner; however, this is hotter and others are more compelling.
Lightly raced 6yo who showed improved form when making all by 8l on his reappearance in a handicap at Market Rasen (2m, good) three months ago; has also run well on soft ground; has received a 10lb hike for last time and he's up in grade today, but he may well take it in his stride.
Took record to 3-5 (including a soft-ground win) when landing big-field Cheltenham handicap (2m, good) in November and good second there (2m1f, good to soft) last month, when the winner slipped the field; this unexposed 5yo could continue to improve and he's on the shortlist.
Completed a hat-trick when winning on his handicap debut at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in November; previous hurdle wins were on soft ground; hit with 8lb rise for last time but it was a competitive race and this unexposed 6yo could continue to progress; key player.
Two novice hurdle wins last term (good to soft/soft) and he was 2l behind in a clear third when falling at the final flight in a competitive handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) last month; retains the same mark whereas the short-head runner-up Kabral Du Mathan has gone up 8lb; interesting.
Completed a hat-trick of mares' handicap hurdle wins (2m, good/good to soft) at Newbury; this 6yo is clearly thriving (and is also effective on soft ground) but she had just a neck to spare last time and from out of the handicap is now 12lb higher in this hotter race, which makes things tough.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
