Spotlight: Dual bumper and maiden hurdle winner; could still have some improvement in him as a jumper and he won a 2m Flat maiden two weeks ago, beating the useful favourite; could go well in only his second handicap run over hurdles; all ground is fine.

Spotlight: Signed off in Ireland with 2m maiden hurdle win; form figures of 122 on the Flat for James Owen and has now gone 21 over hurdles, winning comfortably in a steadily-run race over 2m3f at Fontwell last week (good to soft); this should ask more of his stamina for this sort of trip but he's 5lb well in even from 2lb out of the weights.

Spotlight: Course winner; fell mid-race when favourite for this 12 months ago and returns off 2lb lower; he was unlucky not to win at Windsor on New Year's Day before signing off with quiet runs, including when again market leader here at the Festival; likely to run well.

Spotlight: In a consistent run of form but came up short in a weaker race last week at Newton Abbot for which he was odds-on; others appeal more.

Spotlight: Has done well since sent further than 2m and consistent in his last six races bar one blip in March; back to his best when a game winner over 2m5f at Wincanton the following month (good; fine on softer); negatives are a career-high mark and the lack of a recent run.

Spotlight: A major improver this year and better than ever when runner-up to a less-exposed rival in the recent Welsh Champion Hurdle (2m, good to soft; stays this far); another 2lb nudge is no help but he's fit as a flea and likely to give his running.

Spotlight: Goes well fresh and duly delivered by a clearcut margin at Perth a month ago (2m4f, good); placed in a handicap hurdle here on his second run of last season so capable of holding his form, but an 8lb rise for last time asks questions of him.

Spotlight: Hasn't been remotely convincing back over fences this summer and now returns to hurdling, at which she is 1-13; couldn't be described as well handicapped.

Spotlight: 4-8 under rules and made a very solid return from 424 days away when runner-up off this mark at Worcester in early September (2m4f, good); by no means exposed and yard is in really good form, so might be up to this stiffer challenge.

Spotlight: Ex-Irish gelding who won a valuable Leopardstown 2m4f handicap during their Christmas meeting in 2024; debatable whether he's as good now, despite having made hay in points this year.

Spotlight: The winner of a Ludlow maiden (2m, good); respectable efforts in all three handicaps (2m2f-2m6f) without looking on a particularly favourable mark; 1lb out of the weights.

Spotlight: Only had three races for this yard over hurdles and won for a second time at Navan a month ago (2m5f, good) under a determined ride from Georgie Benson; in a bit deeper this time but has some momentum behind him.

Spotlight: Runner-up in 2m3f handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan (good) before finishing well behind returned to fences four weeks ago; she hasn't become the easiest horse to predict and others appeal more.