Newbury

Low-mileage 4-y-o who was consistent in his first season over hurdles. Improved a little to double his tally in a well-run Chepstow handicap (2m) on return. Needs more again taking on his elders from a 3 lb higher mark.

Did plenty wrong when placing in a couple of juvenile hurdles at Kempton last winter. Positive signs on the Flat since being gelded, doubling his tally with a fairly useful success at Epsom in late-September. Opening mark looks potentially lenient if he can jump/settle better back hurdling.

Justified support in a lower grade on reappearance this time last year. Mixed bag over fences/hurdles thereafter, looking back in form when 15½-length sixth (caught further back than ideal) in the Imperial Cup in March. Interesting back in a 0-125, especially given his record fresh.

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points. Arrives on a Rules hat-trick after success in pair of novice wins this time last year, looking more polished when defying a penalty at Wetherby latest. Opening mark demands more following 12 months away, but his yard looks to be finding form.

From family yard has had success with. On the up when completing a double over C&D on handicap bow in January, jumping well/showing a good attitude. Didn't show his form in the Imperial Cup/Sussex Champion Hurdle subsequently. Back in calmer waters from only 1 lb above his winning mark here.

Progressive/by no means the finished article when scoring in refitted tongue strap at Exeter in March, the runner-up franking the form on return at Chepstow last month. Another whose opening mark demands more again but stable's conditional good value for his claim in a race of this nature.

Hit-and-miss performer. Latest success in a small-field Southwell handicap on return last October. Got within a length of repeating the feat on reappearance this time around, and he was competitive from higher marks than this last season.

Ended 2024/25 season with success in Cheltenham handicap off this mark. Looked to be back on track when 3½-length fourth (in a bunch finish) at Kempton on latest start in January and has gone close first time up previously.

Snapped a losing streak on the Flat when winning a classified event at Brighton in July. Doubled up with a second career hurdle/Fontwell success the following month, doing well to overcome a pace bias. Tough ask to make it a cross-code hat-trick from 2 lb out of the weights.

Better than ever when winning a handicap hurdle at Wincanton prior to finishing mid-field in a strong Class 4 handicap last December. Below his best both starts over fences subsequently, latterly well-held third following a breathing operation. Another who has gone well fresh previously, though.

Suffered a nasty cut when completing a remarkable 7-timer at Market Rasen in June. Clearly wasn't 100% (bled) at Stratford on return and off for further 7 weeks before 9¾-length fourth of 6 at Newton Abbot (21.5f) last month. Most experienced of Dan Skelton's conditional jockeys takes the ride here.

Didn't look entirely straightforward prior to seeing off The Last Cloud (now fairly useful) to open his account in Catterick maiden last February. That bare form now reads well but a 20-month absence naturally a concern ahead of this handicap debut.

Course-winning veteran. Latest success in 2023 County. Best effort last season when 13-length third in the Greatwood (also distant third in William Hill Hurdle here). Mark eased again since his comeback run, and he's worth noting for each-way support with conditional able to claim full allowance.

Lightly-raced 5-y-o. Back to his French hurdling debut form when 3¾-length second in a Huntingdon novice (2m, heavy) in February, sticking to his task without being unduly punished. Opening mark looks a reasonable one (latest form worked out well) and needs a close look in the betting on return.

Irish point winner who opened her account under Rules with a minimum of fuss in a weak Bangor maiden (2½m). Her comprehensive defeat on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (23f) probably more a consequence of a stiff mark than the longer trip. Still looks too high in the weights following 3 months off.

Fairly useful chaser who capitalised on his lower hurdle mark in a military riders race at Wincanton in March. Now returns in a much stronger handicap hurdle, 7 months on from a lacklustre end-of-season effort over fences.