French recruit failed to win in two runs for Yannick Fouin (6l behind Proactif on his second start at Auteuil); sent off at 50-1 on his first start for Willie Mullins in the Triumph Hurdle (2m1f, soft) but belied those odds to win by 1.5l; obvious chance of following up, and the forecast rain won't be an issue for him; preferred by Townend.

Minor promise in three runs on the Flat (rated 76); nice run on hurdles debut at Leopardstown in December; built on that to land a Cork maiden (yielding) under a positive ride in a first-time tongue tie (retained), beating a 121 rated horse by 10l; this is harder but he's well-regarded and unexposed; could go well, though the forecast rain is a concern.

French Flat AW winner; won a Limerick maiden hurdle (2m, heavy) in dominant fashion on his Irish debut; not so good since, pulled up in a Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at the DRF and beaten 28l when down the field in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham; others have more appealing profiles.

Won over 7.5f on the Flat in France (soft); beat Saratoga when landing a 4yo maiden hurdle at Naas in January (2m, heavy) but has seemingly had his limitations exposed in the Triumph at Cheltenham (pulled up) and a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (unseated when beaten); can only be watched after those two efforts.

Impressive winner at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft) on debut for Gabriel Leenders in October; beaten favourite behind Proactif on first start for Willie Mullins in a 4yo hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding); pulled up after a bad mistake at the fourth in the Triumph; back on track when beaten a neck by Proactif in Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (2m, yld-sft); in the mix with a repeat of that.

Placed on sole start in France for Damien Mele at Auteuil (1m7f, very soft) last May; beaten at skinny odds over this C&D (sft-hvy) on Irish debut in January; made amends despite racing keenly at Gowran (2m, heavy), making most to score by 2.75l; never involved when beaten 23l in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham (16.5f, gd-sft); needs to leave that behind but the forecast rain is at least in his favour.

Won two of three starts in France; bolted up by 13l on debut in a 3yo hurdle at Auteuil; runner up in 17.5f Grade 3 (very soft) back there last May; went one place better in another Auteuil Grade 3 (2m2f, very soft) when last seen in September (subsequent Grade 3 winner 8.5l behind); lacks a recent outing but he's an exciting prospect and no surprise to see a big run on his first start for Henry De Bromhead.

French AQPS winner; well-beaten on Irish debut at Naas (2m, heavy) in January; justified short odds on next start when winning by 13l at Navan (2m, heavy) a month later; last of seven finishers when behind a couple of these in Fairyhouse Grade 2 latest; rated 123 and looks to be up against it in this company.

British raider from yard that had a Grade 1 winner here earlier this week; won first four starts over hurdles on varying ground; fine run when 2l behind Maestro Conti in Cheltenham Grade 2 in January (2m1f, soft); beaten 13l when runner up in another Grade 2 at Kempton; beaten 26l in the Triumph on latest; much more needed.

Won sole start in France, beating Apolon De Charnie by 6l at Auteuil (2m2f, very soft); took the scalp of Macho Man on Irish debut at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding); disappointed when 7-2 favourite for the Triumph (2m, soft); back on song to beat Macho Man and Majolique in Fairyhouse Grade 2 latest (2m, yld-sft); obvious chance.

Flat winner for Aidan O'Brien; hinted there was a bigger performance in him when placed in first three maiden hurdles, one over this C&D (yielding) and twice at Naas on softer ground; duly delivered the goods on handicap debut, winning the Fred Winter at Cheltenham (2m, gd-sft) by 2.25l off 130; steps into Grade 1 company for the first time and very much respected.

Placed on sole start in France; easy winner on debut for this yard at Thurles in January (2m, heavy); respectable efforts twice since, 3.5l fourth of 22 in mares' Grade 2 at Cheltenham; 9.25l third of 11 behind Zanoosh in mares' Grade 1 at Fairyhouse; needs to find a bit more to win this.

French Flat winner; won a 4yo Listed hurdle at Naas (15.5f, heavy) on Irish and stable debut; found just Proactif and Macho Man too good in Grade 2 Juvenile at Fairyhouse (2m, yld-sft) on latest when a 2.25l third; if the forecast rain arrives she could get much closer to those two rivals but has to be viewed as a negative that Paul Townend has jumped ship.