Very lightly raced 9yo who was a Grade 2 novice winner in 2022, but has been absent since placed on handicap debut at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in December 2023; current ability tricky to gauge.
Smart chaser in his prime but out of form during light campaign for Sam Thomas last season and well down the field in 3m Cheltenham hurdle for new stable last month; drops back in trip here; revival needed.
Ended 2023-24 season in poor form and returned from long absence with another disappointing run in November (stopped quickly); this race is easier but he needs to prove some ability remains.
Didn't jump well enough when safely held in small-field chase on seasonal debut in November, but runs this track very well and is well handicapped if judged on last-season's wide-margin success here (2m7f, heavy); would appeal more over further and/or on slower ground but still considered.
Rewarded some persistence from Alice Stevens when keeping on strongly from poor position to win by over 8l at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft) six weeks ago; it's hard to know what to make of that performance and he's 6lb higher here, but it's easy to spot the logic behind moving him back up in trip and keeping him on a stiff track.
Consistent 9yo who mixes chasing with hurdling; gave good account when clear second on slower-than-ideal ground over hurdles at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) last month and has a very good record over this C&D; big player.
Six-time hurdle winner (2m7f-3m, good-soft); lurks on a good mark but ended last year with some below-par efforts and today's drop back in trip is not ideal.
On a workable mark and will be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination, but fell in a chase on seasonal debut in October and was about 23l behind Luttrell Lad when well-held fourth over hurdles at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft) in November; needs to get back on track.
Low-mileage 9yo with 2-7 strike-rate over hurdles; didn't find much for pressure when midfield in good Newbury handicap on seasonal debut in November but was given a wind op soon afterwards and now sports a tongue-tie; still unexposed at around 2m4f; high on the list.
Won on the Flat in October and was too good for very progressive rival over hurdles at Plumpton (2m, good) in November; safely held in valuable series final on the Flat since but could have untapped potential over this sort of trip over hurdles.
Returned from break with fairly good third at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October and wasn't beaten far when midfield at Ascot (2m5f, soft) last month, but this generally regressive 11yo is 3lb wrong here and others appeal more.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
