Spotlight: Picked up for £7,000 in May and already looks an excellent purchase having made a winning start for the champion trainer at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; looked set to do it convincingly only to perhaps idle in front, and he could take a 7lb rise in his stride.

Spotlight: Won two handicaps at Ascot (3m, good/good to soft) last season, including last November following a break, and he ran really well when third of 21 at the Punchestown festival (3m, yielding) in May when last seen; this 7yo half-brother to the top-class Protektorat could continue to climb the ranks.

Spotlight: Down the field over C&D in April when last seen but may have been ready for a break; he's on a handy mark on last season's best form and can go well fresh; from an in-form stable and he's one to consider.

Spotlight: Won in a first-time tongue-tie (retained since) at Lingfield (2m6f, good to soft) last December and followed up at Doncaster (3m, soft); his campaign concluded with two lesser performances but a break may have helped and he returns with his trainer (who saddles four) in good form; a possible.

Spotlight: 10yo who was a mid-race faller in the Grand National here in April and returned from a break with a pretty good third on the Flat last month; won a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham last November (3m3f, soft; versatile ground-wise) and could be an each-way contender.

Spotlight: Highly progressive last season with three wins and a creditable third over C&D (good to soft) in April when last seen; could be in the mix if fully tuned up for this reappearance outing.

Spotlight: Unproven at the trip and his form was very mixed last season; however, he reappears following wind surgery and is 4lb lower than when runner-up in the Old Roan here (2m4f, good to soft) on last season's comeback; very much likes Aintree and could have a big say if seeing out the distance.

Spotlight: Sent chasing last December and posted two wins at Taunton (2m7f, good) prior to taking the leap in grade in his stride to land the Scottish Grand National at Ayr (4m, heavy); only six and could continue to progress.

Spotlight: Very talented on his day, as when winning easily in first-time cheekpieces at Doncaster (3m2f, soft) in February; however, he was beaten before stamina might have been an issue at Punchestown (3m7f, yielding) in May when last seen and reappears minus cheekpieces; not a solid option.

Spotlight: Posted a hat-trick in late 2024 with the middle leg coming in the Grand Sefton here over the National fences; he's dropped below his last winning mark but he wasn't at his very best during a light campaign last season; needs to rediscover his peak form following a fourth wind operation.

Spotlight: 10yo who has been better than ever this year, making all for wins at Ascot (3m, good) in March and Uttoxeter (3m, good) in July, and he was a good second in a veterans' chase at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last month following a break; this is tougher but he has race-fitness on his side; each-way chance.

Spotlight: 11yo who tends to front-run and can make mistakes; fell at Kempton in March when last seen; however, he won the Badger Beers at Wincanton on his reappearance last November and is not ruled out on this season's comeback.