Spotlight: Dual point winner who came good under rules with Downpatrick hurdle (2m6f, good) win in May 2024; returned from long absence with very encouraging third on chasing debut there (2m3f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in August; remains unexposed over fences and over staying trips; interesting.

Spotlight: Lost his way a bit last season but returns from break on mark 1lb lower than when winning this race a year ago (good ground) and is likely to have been primed for a repeat bid.

Spotlight: Won twice (3m/3m4f) during fairly light campaign last season and signed off with creditable second of 14 on New course here (3m4f, good) in April, form that was recently boosted by the winner; had another wind op (his third) during the summer; likely contender.

Spotlight: Bounced back to form with win at Galway (2m6f, good to yielding) last month and looked in even better nick when comfortably following up at Downpatrick (2m7f, yielding) 11 days later; must be considered in current mood.

Spotlight: Dual chase winner towards end of 2024 (3m1f/3m); only third of four behind Regarde at Haydock (3m4f, good) in March but wasn't beaten far; resumes on a workable mark and with Patrick Mullins a good jockey booking.

Spotlight: 3-7 over hurdles; runner-up in all three chases, most recently behind dominant front-runner at Warwick (3m, good; course record) last month; can go well again here under regular partner Lily Bradstock.

Spotlight: Made bright start to chasing career in early 2024, winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) before clear second at Kempton (3m, good to soft), but dropped out of contention worryingly quickly on final two starts last season (had wind op in between) and needs to prove his wellbeing.

Spotlight: Front-runner who won three-runner contest at Wetherby (3m, good) in March and is now 2-6 over fences; may still have more to offer this season but reappears in a much deeper race.

Spotlight: Thorough stayer who won Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) off today's mark last November; ended last season with two disappointing efforts and needs to have been refreshed by six-month break.

Spotlight: Well beaten on latest hurdling start in April and has performed well in only one of his four subsequent chases, when second in Kilbeggan beginners' event (2m4f, yielding) two starts ago; ought to be suited by today's move back up in trip but has some questions to answer.

Spotlight: Spoiled chance by jumping poorly on final appearance last season but won with considerable authority at Southwell (3m, good to soft) two starts ago and has good claims if able to repeat that performance.

Spotlight: 4-9 over fences; creditable second in Class 2 chase at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good) this summer and filled same position behind revitalised opponent at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month; holds each-way claims at least.

Spotlight: Not really firing on all cylinders in early part of this season but may have benefited from a break; caused 25-1 surprise in Windsor marathon (3m4f, soft) in January and was placed off today's mark in C&D (good) amateurs' race last November; could have a say.

Spotlight: Largely consistent 7yo who mixes hurdling with chasing and has very good 8-31 strike-rate over jumps; not at best when back over fences at Chepstow recently, though, and moves up in grade today.

Spotlight: Won this race off today's mark in 2023 but has become very inconsistent in the meantime; arguably ran better than eventual 21l defeat suggests when third of seven at Uttoxeter (3m, good; first run after wind op) last month but it's hard to tell whether he'll be on a going day here.

Spotlight: Makes seasonal debut from a tempting mark and won't fail through lack of stamina but looked out of sorts on both outings at the start of this year and has done all his winning on soft ground; needs combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie to prompt a revival.

Spotlight: Five-time point winner; unexposed under rules and stayed on strongly to win hunter chase here (4m, good) in April but was safely held when dropped back to 3m2f for Newton Abbot handicap in May; not easy to predict today.

Spotlight: Won his second Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster (3m2f, good) in March and gamely finished first at Cartmel (3m5f, good to soft) in May, only to be disqualified for losing his weight cloth; big player if judged on those heroics but has become very inconsistent; visor replaces blinkers.