Spotlight: Won by 18l over C&D in December 2024 and runner-up to Red Dirt Road in this race (off 2lb higher than today) next time, both on heavy going; well beaten last March and November (given wind surgery in between) but surged back to some form when short-headed here four weeks ago; that was over just 2m4f on good ground and today's conditions are more likely to see him back to his best; big shout if he is.

Spotlight: Irish maiden point winner who also scored on handicap debut at Windsor (3m, good to soft; five ran) in November; creditable third of six at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) three weeks later, showing that he needs marked improvement off the same mark today, but these are relatively early days.

Spotlight: Ran creditably sole start here; won at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) on reappearance in just his second handicap and stuck to his task extremely well when going close in a major handicap at Haydock (3m, good to soft) later in November; something seemed amiss at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but the Haydock performance ensures that he needs a second look.

Spotlight: Second and first in handicaps in 2024 on his only two starts at this track, with the win on soft ground (runner-up early on in a heavy-ground bumper); won his second start (3m, soft) last season and the same happened this term, when he battled on well at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) in December despite wandering; up 5lb but respected.

Spotlight: All four wins in the mud and the latest was from the front on heavy ground at this track (2m4f) last February; made a creditable chase/seasonal debut over 3m in December but two muted performances (chase/hurdles) have followed and a big revival is needed in the first-time headgear.

Spotlight: Acts on heavy; left Henry de Bromhead for £10,000 last May; best known as a useful chaser but more inconsistent in the last three seasons, including over hurdles; close third over fences here (3m) on latest start was his best form for a long time and he'd have a big chance if that is repeated off this 4lb lower mark, but no win since 2022 and he's now an 11yo.

Spotlight: Unraced on heavy; not disgraced in fifth when cheekpieces were enlisted at Windsor on last two starts, the latest over 3m on soft, but that's still way below his peak form and he needs better.

Spotlight: Acts on soft, runner-up sole start on heavy (hurdle debut); dual chase winner last season and back in top form when she rallied to take a 15-runner chase at Cheltenham (2m4f) seven weeks ago; 3lb lower today over hurdles but the big issue is that she's unraced beyond an extended 2m4f under rules.

Spotlight: Low-mileage 9yo; won at Aintree (soft) and Sandown (this race on heavy; made all for an 8l verdict) last winter but pulled up at Uttoxeter last March when last seen; probably needed his comeback run last season after a longer absence; that fitness is a key question again today but, despite 6lb higher mark, he'd be a leading player judged on what he did 12 months ago.

Spotlight: Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this.

Spotlight: 2-4 on heavy going, admittedly all in 2021 or 2023; ridden last five starts by Benjamin Macey; fell in the early stages on penultimate start and below form on latest, having registered two good places earlier this term; others preferred.