Spotlight: Acts on soft ground; 2-2 in bumpers, including Listed honours, and has a solid record (213) since switched to hurdles; only about half a length behind Dance And Glance and All In You at Ascot (1m7f; handicap debut) in sole start this term; this Skelton mare is open to plenty of further improvement; major contender.

Spotlight: Acts on soft ground; progressive sort whose two attempts over C&D comprise a good effort, as a novice hurdler, on this card 12 months ago and clearcut success in notable handicap on last appearance (runner-up has franked the form since); an ideal type for this prize and warrants major respect despite carrying a big weight.

Spotlight: Overall record (Flat/hurdles) is 5-11; couple of very sound performances this term for new stable, nearly collaring Dance And Glance at Ascot (1m7f, soft) then reversing placings with that rival in comfortable fashion at Sandown (2m, good); open to further progress and has strong claims.

Spotlight: Unexposed novice hurdler who posted a good effort behind the Supreme favourite on penultimate start; comfortably justified favouritism at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) latest, taking overall record to 4-7; this handicap debutant could be well treated and his stable has landed this race three times; interesting.

Spotlight: Appears to act on any ground; ran creditably in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f) four weeks ago when bidding for a hat-trick; seems versatile and scored easily over 2m at Doncaster on reappearance; may still have more to offer and remains of interest.

Spotlight: Has finished behind Tutti Quanti, All In You and Dance And Glance this term but may give them a fight as he's back in top form, having landed a valuable handicap at Windsor (2m, soft) most recently; 5lb penalty is in line with his future mark; not ruled out.

Spotlight: Steadily finding his form this season, respectable fifth to Hot Fuss at Windsor (soft) most recently; may be about to reach boiling point and he'll be particularly interesting if the ground is heavy, having been successful in last four attempts on that surface.

Spotlight: Second-season hurdler who is proving consistent; creditable fourth in competitive races won by Dance And Glance and Hot Fuss on last two starts; becoming a little exposed but again seems likely to give his running and is solid in that respect.

Spotlight: Acts on heavy ground; front-runner who returned to form with cheekpieces fitted at Haydock most recently; back on career-high mark and faces a stiffer task in this field but is difficult to dismiss, being 2-2 in C&D handicaps; headgear retained.

Spotlight: Just held on from strong-finishing All In You at Ascot (1m7f, soft) and was unable to confirm the placings, albeit far from discredited, at Sandown (2m, good); that rival has the upper hand with further progress plausible; however, this consistent sort should go well.

Spotlight: Missed last term but showed further progress to score readily at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in sole outing this season, albeit the form may not be reliable as several hurdles were omitted; on a stiffer mark and goes up sharply in class.

Spotlight: Steady progress at about 2m culminated in close second in last season's Imperial Cup; form has dipped in three subsequent starts but longer trips (2m4f/2m5f) perhaps contributed to two of those defeats; whether he's back on song remains to be seen.

Spotlight: Disappointing favourite at Windsor on return from layoff last time; generally consistent otherwise and may rebound but whether he can land this notable prize back at 2m is another matter; his handicap form, which includes Aintree win, is over 2m4f.

Spotlight: Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

Spotlight: Beaten twice off lower marks in this race (third in 2024, seventh in 2025) and seems unlikely to make it third time lucky; unbeaten at Sandown and likely to be more persuasive back there next month for a crack at an Imperial Cup hat-trick.

Spotlight: Folded tamely in the Windsor event won by Hot Fuss; still has low mileage over hurdles and may resume his progress at some stage but this seems a difficult assignment; has gained his wins in Class 4 (maiden/handicap).