Spotlight: Won over C&D (soft) last December on third chase start and followed up at Sandown (1m7f, good) in January; 12l seventh to Martator in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March but travelled strongly close to the pace until two out and that first experience of a big-field handicap chase should hold him in good stead; had wind surgery since; low-mileage 7yo who tops the list.

Spotlight: Started off for new stable with two hurdle wins in cheekpieces last autumn and ended last season with a pair of chase wins, latterly over C&D (good) in a race which worked out; good reappearance second over hurdles at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; considered.

Spotlight: Took this in 2023; followed up back here three weeks later but has drawn a blank since; last season's efforts raise doubts as to whether this 11yo is the force of old but his reduced handicap mark does reflect that.

Spotlight: Below par in four outings in the first half of 2026 but the fact he was second to Teddy Boy in this off 11lb higher last year makes him a dangerous one to discount on return, for all his jumping can lack fluency.

Spotlight: Ex-Gavin Cromwell 7yo; 0-11 since his last win at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) in June 2025 but he went great guns in the lead for a long way on his recent Kelso reappearance (2m1f, good to firm) after wind surgery; entitled to come on for the run and could go well.

Spotlight: Strong Ascot record includes a win in this on his 2024 reappearance; back to form with a bang in first-time blinkers to spring a 66-1 surprise in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March; the blinkers are replaced by regular cheekpieces on reappearance; has to enter calculations.

Spotlight: 6yo who has improved markedly since switched to fences and gained a fifth win in his last six starts when comfortably seeing off three rivals at Newton Abbot (extended 2m, good) last month; thriving but all those wins were gained in small fields and he's another 8lb higher now.

Spotlight: Took this off 13lb lower on last year's reappearance; added to his tally in handicap at Kempton (2m4f, good) in March but a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Oaksey at Sandown (2m6f, good) on his final start has seen him raised to a clear career-high mark.

Spotlight: Has proved difficult to place since last win in March 2025 and his form took a downturn last season, including pulling up over C&D; returns from six months off with a point to prove.

Spotlight: Hat-trick at about 2m (good to soft/heavy) last winter but pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham; has lack of stamina as a possible excuse at Haydock on final start but that slightly disappointing end to his campaign means others arrive here with more pressing claims.

Spotlight: Three chase wins at 2m1f/2m3f (on good); also a respectable fifth to Teddy Blue in this 12 months ago but she was out of sorts when last seen in the spring; cut some slack by the handicapper as a result, though.

Spotlight: Made all to cause 33-1 surprise in major handicap chase at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last December and, having been pulled up on his next four outings, was back in good form when dominating at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in May; should be sharper for an outing over hurdles three weeks ago but 2m4f is seemingly his optimum trip.