Spotlight: Impressively rewarded market support on bumper debut at Warwick last term before midfield in the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival; quickly established himself as the leading British-based hope for this race when laughing at a good one in a C&D Grade 2 in November before following up in the same grade at Sandown (2m4f, also soft) the following month; merely needed to be nudged along to make his Grade 1 breakthrough in the Challow at Newbury (good) in December and holds strong claims of following in the footsteps of The New Lion, who won that race before taking this last season.

Spotlight: Won his only point but couldn't justify favouritism for a second time when beaten in his sole bumper; solid start over hurdles when second of 20 in a Gowran maiden (heavy) in November and his wide-margin win at Fairyhouse (yielding to soft) three weeks later contained a sprinkling of stardust; fortunate when left clear just after the last in Leopardstown Grade 1 (also 2m, yielding) in December; that still continued his upward trajectory and, while this new trip asks a small question on pedigree, he has to be seriously considered.

Spotlight: Group class for Andre Fabre on the Flat and his win in last year's Queen Alexandra (good to firm) at Royal Ascot for this yard was sandwiched between two hurdle wins, in a Killarney novice (2m4f, yielding) in May and a triumphant comeback in Punchestown Grade 2 (about 2m, soft to heavy) two months ago despite drifting in the market; can likely fly higher in this sphere, particularly when his hurdling tightens up, and he's a fascinating contender.

Spotlight: Comfortably got the better of Shuttle Diplomacy when winning a Limerick maiden (soft to heavy) on hurdles debut in late December and took the rise in class well when a close third in Leopardstown Grade 1 (also 2m, heavy; Ballyfad just ahead) at the start of February; should stay this far and he's Paul Townend's pick from a choice of six Willie Mullins runners; yard has a strong record in this race and he has to be on the shortlist.

Spotlight: Considered a Supreme hope at the start of the term and he did nothing to dispel those thoughts when impressing on hurdles debut in a Newbury maiden (about 2m, soft) in November; surprisingly turned over by a 3yo over that C&D (good) one month later but firmly back on track when sent up in trip to comfortably land a Huntingdon Listed event (about 2m4f, soft) last time; his trainer used that race as a stepping stone to Cheltenham Festival glory for Shishkin in 2020 and this one commands plenty of respect.

Spotlight: Finished mid-division in last season's Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival but he was useful in that sphere and beat I'll Sort That by 12l when making all at Fairyhouse in April; got off to the perfect start over hurdles when comfortably winning a Cork maiden (2m, yielding to soft; first-time hood) in November but found his old rival I'll Sort That too strong when second in a Naas Grade 1 (2m4f, soft) two months ago; likely to run well again.

Spotlight: Unbeaten in a point and two bumpers before easily winning a Leopardstown maiden hurdle (2m, yielding; strong in the market) in December; fine effort when claimed on the line in a Grade 1 over that C&D (heavy) at the start of last month, with King Rasko Grey a close-up third, and his pedigree suggests this new trip will be no problem; very strong claims for his powerful yard.

Spotlight: 100-1 and borderline tailed off in a Cork maiden hurdle in December 2024 but he subsequently turned into a quality bumper performer and has taken it up a notch since resuming his career over hurdles, unbeaten in four including Navan Grade 3 (2m, soft to heavy) in November and when repeating forcing tactics in Naas Grade 1 (2m4f, soft; Sortudo second, Saint Baco behind) two months ago; won't find it easy to dominate this field but his gritty attitude was admirable last time and he likely won't go down without a fight.

Spotlight: Bumper winner who was off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles when winning a Ffos Las novice in January; heavy odds-on but he still impressed when easily defying a penalty at Chepstow (also 2m, soft) last month; dam won over this trip in a light hurdling career; not far away on the figures for last year's winning stable and he's impossible to rule out.

Spotlight: Runner-up in sole French outing; 12 months off before second of 17 at Limerick (heavy) and he made no mistake when short odds at Thurles (also 2m, soft) last month; Paul Townend has jumped ship but it's impossible to know where the ceiling of his ability lies and this new trip may unlock more.

Spotlight: Won a Limerick Listed bumper two years ago and a cracking effort when third in the Champion Bumper (good to soft; Sortudo and No Drama This End behind) at last season's Cheltenham Festival; disappointed on first two starts over hurdles but he rediscovered his groove in a newly fitted tongue-tie when second to King Rasko Grey at Limerick (2m, soft to heavy) in December before beating 15 others to win at Naas (about 2m2f, heavy) last time; this forecast better ground should be fine and he's not one to dismiss lightly.

Spotlight: Point winner (3m, yielding) who made it 2-2 over hurdles (2m, good to soft/soft) in three-runner novice at Aintree in December; only just denied over this sort of trip in soft-ground Grade 2 on the New course here in January; has quite a plucky attitude but that form leaves him with something to find.

Spotlight: Safely held when second to Riskaway at Thurles (2m4f, good to yielding) but improved since; followed a wide-margin win there (yielding to soft) by responding well for pressure to score at Navan (also 2m, soft to heavy); the step back up in trip is probably of little concern and he might surprise a few.

Spotlight: Sent off odds-on, despite some unease in the betting, when beating a big field on his stable debut at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) in December and he was a notable market drifter when 9-2 and weakening over this sort of trip in a Naas Grade 1 (soft) fought out by I'll Sort That and Sortudo two months ago; Paul Townend, who was on board last time, has deserted him.