Spotlight: Won a point (3m, soft) and maiden hurdle (2m5f, yielding to soft) before easily making it 3-3 in Grade 1 novice at Leopardstown (2m6f, soft) last month; has superstar potential for top Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who has won this race seven times (including the last three); leading claims.

Spotlight: Unbeaten in four starts (soft/good to soft) after cruising to victory in Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury (extended 2m4f, good to soft) in December; acquired since by JP McManus; this hugely exciting prospect could have lots more left in the tank and is a major player for Dan Skelton.

Spotlight: Sixth in last season's Champion Bumper then runner-up in Grade 1 at Punchestown; won two Graded novice hurdles at Navan (2m4f, yielding/soft) at end of last year and made it 4-4 in this sphere with 8l win in Grade 1 at Naas (2m4f, soft) in January; clearly progressive for a top Irish trainer in Gordon Elliott, who won this in 2018 and 2020, and a possible contender.

Spotlight: Made it 4-4 under rules with impressive Grade 2 win over C&D (good) in November and followed up in Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (2m1f, soft); no match for Sixmilebridge when odds-on for Grade 2 here (2m4f, soft) in January but that run was reportedly "a bit of an afterthought" and might not be the limit of his ability; tongue-tie goes on; each-way chance.

Spotlight: Front-runner; two minor wins this winter (2m4f, heavy/good to soft) before powering clear in Grade 2 novice here in January (extended 2m4f, soft); had some very talented yardsticks behind last time (albeit with runner-up Potters Charm reportedly not at his best); could have a part to play.

Spotlight: Sold for 280,000euros after finishing second in French bumper (1m5f, good to soft) on debut in 2023 and returned from long absence to win easily on hurdle debut in Fairyhouse maiden (2m, soft) in January; takes on vastly tougher opposition today but he was very impressive and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; pedigree provides optimism about this longer trip.

Spotlight: French bumper winner who made it 2-2 on stable debut in maiden hurdle at Cork (2m, yielding) in December; hampered before the final flight when he rallied for 3l second in Grade 2 novice at Punchestown (2m1f, soft) in January and could relish this step up in trip; interesting contender.

Spotlight: Beat useful rival by half a length in maiden hurdle at Leopardstown (2m4f, yielding) in December to get off the mark at the third attempt; he's better than he showed in Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m, soft) last month and goes back up in trip today, but there's a suspicion he'll be up against it.

Spotlight: Seventh in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle; 8l second to The Yellow Clay in Grade 1 at Naas (2m4f, soft) in January and pulled up behind Final Demand in Leopardstown Grade 1 (2m6f, soft) last month in refitted tongue-tie/first-time hood (the hood is retained); others are preferred.

Spotlight: French bumper winner who built upon his hurdle debut second at Cork (1m7f, soft) to win Punchestown maiden (2m1f, soft) in January, in a battle when left clear at the final flight; open to further improvement for top Irish yard now up in trip but a sizeable step forward is needed.

Spotlight: Point and bumper winner who has finished second in maiden races on all three hurdle starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to yielding and soft); in excellent hands but needs to find a chunk of improvement this afternoon.