Very useful on the Flat and has quickly reached a similar level over hurdles, finishing a creditable fifth in strong, big-field handicaps at Leopardstown (yielding) and Kelso (also 2m, good to soft) on his last two outings; each-way claims.

Second Tramore success when easily seeing off nine rivals in a 2m1f handicap (soft; first win was on good) on New Year's Day; the handicapper hasn't missed him but there may be more to come for his leading Irish stable.

Returned to form in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when runner-up in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) for the second year in succession; 12 months ago he followed up with a disappointing effort at this meeting but that was over 2m4f and this is more his trip.

Won a big-field Listed handicap at Listowel (2m, good to yielding; first-time cheekpieces) for Willie Mullins in September; hasn't got anywhere near that level in three outings without headgear for his new yard in recent months but his mark has dropped 10lb; worth a second look in the betting with a tongue-tie tried now.

Returned to form with a bang when seeing off the reopposing Melon at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February; has a quick turnaround as an excuse for a lesser effort in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (2m, soft) one week later, while his trainer reported to the stewards that he'll be suited by a flatter track and a quicker surface, both of which he should get today; not dismissed.

No promise in handicaps around 2m5f (Martin Pipe at Cheltenham latterly) since joining Dan Skelton; his hurdle form for Willie Mullins came at around 2m, so it's possible the drop back in trip will help, but the yard's other runners hold more obvious claims.

French recruit whose British debut success at Ayr after wind surgery (also tongue-tied first time) seemingly came as a bit of a surprise to connections judged on her 33-1 SP but there was no fluke about it; 7lb higher in a much stronger race now, though.

Won a Listed Hurdle for 3yos at Auteuil (1m7f, heavy) for Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm last April but badly out of sorts when last seen in the autumn; picked up by new connections for 52,000euros in November; a watching brief is the percentage call.

On a hat-trick after 2m3f wins at Haydock (good to soft) and Bangor (good) under Charlie Maggs last month but the fact he failed to win at around 2m on his first ten starts in Britain hardly boosts confidence in him for this drop back in trip.

Three-time Flat winner; placed in three of four maiden hurdles at up to an extended 2m1f in Ireland this year but doesn't strike as being obviously well treated from an opening hurdle mark in the mid-120s.

Has won all four completed starts over hurdles (trained by Emma Lavelle for first win); came 6l clear on handicap debut at Exeter (2m, good to soft) last time in the style of one who can keep on improving; considered under Patrick Mullins.

Met trouble at a crucial stage when fifth in a warm race on 2m4f Windsor handicap debut in January and made it 2-2 at around 2m when seeing off four rivals in Bangor novice (soft) the following month; remains open to improvement back in a handicap and capable of having a big say for last year's winning trainer/jockey combination.

Two juvenile hurdle wins last winter; reappeared with a good third of 11 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in December and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort at Windsor when chasing home the reopposing Rubber Ball at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February.

Second 2m novice hurdle success when comfortably seeing off 11 rivals at Huntingdon 23 days ago; third in a 2m Kempton race (again on good) which has worked out well in his sole handicap; respected for a stable which has had a few run well in this in recent years.

Justified strong market support in 2m5f Cheltenham handicap (good) in November 2024; belatedly back to that sort of form when second of six at Newcastle (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in November but let down by his jumping when only a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m5f, good) over Christmas; drops back in trip for his first run since.

French recruit who has caught the eye on both starts for Dan Skelton, latterly making good late headway from the rear for sixth of 22 in the Fred Winter (Handicap) at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); could do with learning to settle better but there are bigger performances in him if he can.

Novice who won three times in the autumn (2m, good to soft/good) but it seems the handicapper has caught up, as he finished only sixth off this mark at Haydock last Saturday.

In good form on AW Flat last spring and returned from an absence for 50-1 win on handicap hurdle debut at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in February; weakened quickly in the Imperial Cup at Sandown (soft) but perhaps a return to less testing ground may help.

Two 1m7f Musselburgh wins this winter; bounced back from a poor run in the Imperial Cup when fifth of 14 back at Musselburgh three weeks ago but that effort suggests the handicapper is winning the argument for now.

Likeable sort who finished out of the first two for the first time but ran as well as he's ever done when fourth of 22 in the Fred Winter (Handicap) at last month's Cheltenham Festival (2m, good to soft; The Mighty Celt sixth); that effort can be marked up slightly as he got messed about a bit turning in; Paul Nicholls won this in 2022 and sent out the second in 2023 and the third (Afadil) in 2024; a must for the shortlist.

On a long losing spell but he was bang there for a long way when fifth in a warm 2m3f handicap at Ascot in February with cheekpieces added; hasn't reproduced that in two subsequent starts but it's possible that a change of headgear (first-time visor now) could give him a lift.

18 races and over two years since his last win, albeit still frequently competitive; below par over 2m5f at Ascot only 12 days ago but his peak form has come at around 2m (third in this in 2024).