Third in the Grade 1 Sefton at this meeting last year but that wasn't the strongest renewal; promising second of 14 on chase debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October hasn't been built on and he bled when tailed off in Kempton Grade 1 over Christmas; didn't impress with his jumping in February when last seen and needs to get back on track.

Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.

Experienced novice who had already won three chases by October; progress then stalled until he ran a screamer off top weight (ridden by 7lb claimer) when second in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (about 2m4f, good; Regent's Stroll third, Jordans Cross eighth) last month; didn't stay 3m on sole attempt but that came on heavy ground and the experiment looks worth another go; player.

Progressive 6yo who scored on his chase debut here (2m, good) in October; improved at about 2m4f subsequently, looking unlucky when falling at Cheltenham in November before winning his next two, including a fairly valuable event back there in January (soft); disappointing he could not get involved in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (Gold Dancer second, Regent's Stroll third) last month but he has often shaped as if this step up in trip will suit; no surprise if he bounces back.

Prominent-racer whose flop over hurdles at this meeting last year can be forgiven; scored on his third start over fences when beating Regent's Stroll by 4l at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good) in January; jumping left plenty to be desired when third in Sandown Grade 1 later that month, however, and the race he won at Newbury (about 3m, good to soft) last time fell apart; he wasn't always fluent that day either but a clear round puts him on the premises.

Nephew of Denman; has been a constant work in progress and pretty much lost the plot without a hood when third to Wendigo at Newbury (good to soft) in November; won a match on soft the following month but couldn't contain Miami Magic when second at Cheltenham in January; highly creditable third in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (also about 2m4f, good; Golden Dancer second, Jordans Cross eighth) last month, however, and now goes up in trip with something deeper possibly lurking inside him.

Can take a while to warm up but he impressed when slamming Doyen Quest in December Grade 2 at Sandown (good to soft) and again dispatched that rival at Windsor (also about 3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) the following month; 25-1 but ran a scorcher, despite little going right, when flying from the rear to grab third in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory (3m1f) at Cheltenham last month; there's potential for a good gallop here, which will suit, and he holds leading claims.

Just nabbed on his chase debut (good) in October but stayed on strongly to pick up Newbury Grade 2 (also 2m4f, good to soft; Regent's Stroll third, Crest Of Fortune fourth) the following month; outpaced throughout but never stopped trying when third in Kempton Grade 1 (3m, good; Salver fourth, Crest Of Fortune behind) over Christmas and that was also the case until he fell at the last when 6l down in the Brown Advisory (3m1f, good to soft; Salver third) last month; solid claims.