Spotlight: Faller on reappearance but got round and scored in clearcut style at Cheltenahm (2m4f, good to soft) later in October, taking hurdles record to 3-6 and overall strike-rate to 4-9; fourth to high-class rival in sole C&D attempt; open to further progress and warrants respect.

Spotlight: Ran well over C&D on final start as a novice hurdler last term; made all and won by very wide margin at Bangor (2m3f, soft) on handicap/seasonal debut, showing major improvement on RPRs; may well defy a 13lb rise, with further advancement very plausible.

Spotlight: Failed to score over fences last term; bagged Grade 2 honours at Kelso as a novice hurdler, beating a highly notable opponent, and ran respectably in Carlisle handicap (2m4f, soft) returned to this sphere on reappearance; capable of being involved.

Spotlight: Ran creditably at Plumpton (2m4f) on seasonal debut; flattered by his proximity to Guard Duty over C&D in March but is proving a solid type, having posted form figures of 1121122 since handicapping; each-way possibilities upped further in class.

Spotlight: Record of 2-4 in completed starts features a 6l win at Lingfield (2m, soft) in second handicap attempt; prominent when brought down three out at Sandown (in 2m4f event won by Loverdose) on last appearance; this lightly raced 8yo remains open to further improvement.

Spotlight: Largely progressive novice hurdler last season and there are reasons to forgive his final effort; scored on the bridle over C&D (soft) earlier in March, beating Loverdose with much more in hand than the 1l margin suggests; remains of interest.

Spotlight: Showed progress with three wins last season, including by 6l at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) final start; couple of non-completions this term, disappointing at Newbury (3m) latest, but it's too soon to write off this Henderson hurdler.

Spotlight: Low-mileage 5yo who ran well under a penalty at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in final start last term; showed no further progress at Cheltenham (2m5f) on handicap/seasonal debut but may do better with the outing under his belt; still reasonably unexposed.

Spotlight: Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including over 3m at Newbury in February when last seen (final start for Dan Skelton; remains with same owner); faces a stiffer task off new mark back down in trip and most of his rivals have the benefit of recent match practice.

Spotlight: Point/hurdle winner who still has low mileage but was easy to back and only a modest fourth, well behind Lud'or, at Bangor on stable/seasonal debut; needs to step up a good deal on that bare form.

Spotlight: Held on by a neck at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) on reappearance and only second start this year, showing he retains plenty of ability aged ten; has won over C&D but returns here off a tougher mark and takes on some progressive types among his younger rivals.

Spotlight: Well treated on his Aintree success (off 2lb higher) two years ago but has been absent (and had further wind surgery) since well beaten there in April 2024; best watched unless the market speaks favourably.

Spotlight: Successful at run-of-the-mill level in last two Irish starts; never landed a blow in Class 3 at Cheltenham (2m) since and this is even harder; yet to win beyond 2m2f.

Spotlight: Useful on his day for previous yard but is on a near three-year losing spell and his two efforts for new stable don't augur well; below-par fifth in this contest 12 months ago.

Spotlight: Badly lacks recent match practice, having been absent since finishing second at Uttoxeter (2m4f) in early 2024, and steps up two grades; best to look elsewhere.