Won this race a year ago (good to soft) and took 16-runner Cheltenham handicap (2m1f, good) at end of last season but failed to build upon pleasing reappearance run when pulled up in last month's Greatwood and needs to be back in prime form to have any chance under top weight.
Returned from layoff with low-key Flat run last month but ran big race when clear second to unexposed rival over hurdles at Doncaster (2m, soft) three weeks ago and remains well handicapped on older form; high on the list.
Won Taunton maiden (2m, soft) at start of this year and came second in both handicaps this autumn, latterly at Windsor (2m, good to soft); effectively 5lb higher here (if Callum Pritchard's reduced claim is considered) but ought to make his presence felt again.
Won the Listed bumper on this card two years ago (soft ground) and launched hurdling career with two promising runs in November 2024; makes handicap debut after 387-day absence but still looks very interesting.
Three-time hurdle winner; very well handicapped on some of last season's form and seems versatile regarding ground but not firing on all cylinders this term and has a lot more to prove than some of these.
Dual Flat and dual hurdle winner in France; absent since respectable fifth at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in March, his only run for Gary and Josh Moore; sold for 90,000 in October; market helpful on stable debut.
1-7 over hurdles; travelled strongly but was outpaced on run-in by revitalised opponent when clear second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) this month; still on workable mark after recent 2lb nudge; can threaten again here.
Suited by drop back in trip and posted career-best performance when scoring at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) two weeks ago; 4lb higher here but evidently in very good nick.
Returned from break with two good runs this autumn, latterly when fourth in good-quality C&D (good) handicap that has worked out well; 1lb lower today and not yet fully exposed; one to consider.
Showed the benefit of a wind op when winning by 11l on seasonal debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good) in October; both subsequent runs were perfectly respectable but he needs to kick on again to land this prize.
4yo who battled well for narrow success on last month's handicap debut at Exeter (2m, good to soft) and is now 3-5 over hurdles; contests a deeper race here but may still have more to offer.
Left low-key seasonal debut behind when scoring in good style at Leicester (1m7f, soft) last month and is now 4-14 over hurdles; 6lb higher in a stronger race here but further progress is possible.
One of two to pull well clear of the others when second on hurdle return at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) last month but wasn't in same form when upped to 2m4f soon afterwards; now 0-6 over hurdles; others appeal more.
Very useful Flat racer in his prime; won on stable/hurdle debut in February 2024 and still unexposed in this sphere but absent since tailed off in 2m3f Lingfield handicap just over a year ago.
Sprang 28-1 surprise in Uttoxeter maiden (2m4f, heavy) last month, her third start over hurdles, and ran well to a point in much stronger Newbury race a fortnight later; drops back in trip here and probably needs to improve again on this handicap debut.
Made the frame in run-of-the-mill Fontwell maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in October and remains unexposed after only three hurde runs, but makes handicap debut in a competitive race and needs significant improvement.
Ended 2024 in good form over hurdles and was a dual 2m AW winner in early part of this year, but returned from break with heavy defeat in low-grade 3m hurdle in October and is not the most obvious answer here.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
