Spotlight: Very useful handicapper over regulation fences and 3-4 since switched to cross-country chasing, winning twice over about 3m on the banks course at Punchestown before keeping on strongly to beat Mister Coffey and others in this field quite cosily over C&D (soft; also suited by good) in December; 8lb higher now but the cheekpieces are an interesting addition today and he commands respect.

Spotlight: Grade 1 chase winner in his prime; not getting any younger and absent since close second in US Grade 1 hurdle in October but came second in non-handicap version of this race in 2023 (soft) and is now 1lb lower than when placed in last season's Grand National; drying ground will probably aid his cause; claims.

Spotlight: Placed over conventional fences at two Cheltenham Festivals and runner-up over C&D on both appearances this season (good/soft); stuck to his task very well when one length behind Stumptown on latest occasion and is 5lb better off with that rival today; one for the shortlist.

Spotlight: No win over jumps since 2022 Kerry National at Listowel (3m, good) but ended 2024 with two very respectable sixths over C&D (good/soft) and ran about as well as could have been expected in a Grade 2 hurdle last month; still unexposed in cross-country races and the refitted blinkers can aid; interesting.

Spotlight: Won Grade 1 novice hurdle here four years ago and second in the 2023 Grand National (good to soft); faded into ninth after racing prominently in C&D race (soft) won by Stumptown in December but responded very well to first-time blinkers when slamming Coko Beach on the banks course at Punchestown (3m1f, heavy) last month; dangerous if the new headgear continues to aid him.

Spotlight: Very useful handicap chaser in his prime (placed in Ultima here two years ago) but on the downgrade now; never really looked dangerous when seventh behind Stumptown over C&D on cross-country debut in December and was remote when fifth to Vanillier at Punchestown last month; 1lb wrong; needs to turn a corner.

Spotlight: Former pointer/hunter chaser who scored over C&D (soft) last season and was placed over C&D on both his other cross-country starts; led briefly on run-in when third behind Stumptown and Mister Coffey here (soft) in December and will be fine on today's forecast faster ground; big role to play.

Spotlight: Won on the banks course at Punchestown (3m, soft to heavy) in February 2024 and will be suited by today's longer trip but seems to have regressed this season; safely held behind Stumptown over C&D in December and no match for Vanillier when remote second at Punchestown last month; revival needed.

Spotlight: Returned to form with third in Munster National at Limerick (3m, good) in October but quickly back in the doldrums since, the last twice in cross-country chases won by Stumptown (C&D) and Vanillier (Punchestown); might be boosted by refitted cheekpieces but others look much safer.

Spotlight: Lightly raced since Welsh Grand National success in 2021 but a commendable third in this season's edition of that race (3m6f, soft) in December and again ran very well at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in January; drying ground will reduce his appeal but he has possibilities if he enjoys this new test.

Spotlight: Irish-trained 13yo who performed pretty well in last two Grand Nationals and has two French cross-country chase wins on his CV, the latter in Listed race at Craon (3m6f, very soft) in September; fell on his only C&D start and would appeal more on soft/heavy ground but still considered each-way.

Spotlight: Proved he retains a significant chunk of ability when winning Grade 3 chase at Punchestown (2m7f, good to yielding) in October but has become very inconsistent in recent years and has stamina to prove on this cross-country chase debut.

Spotlight: Bounced back from poor seasonal debut and belied 80-1 odds when fourth in C&D contest (soft; good to soft also suits) won by Stumptown in December, having raced prominently throughout; also ran well in a conventional chase last month but competes from 4lb out of the weights today and is not the force of old; refitted cheekpieces replace blinkers.

Spotlight: Placed in the Plate here (2m4f, soft) two years ago and in Irish Grand National (3m5f, soft) a few weeks later but his form nosedived after Munster National success at Limerick (3m, soft) later in 2023; well beaten on last month's cross-country debut at Punchestown (race won by Vanillier) and arrives here with a lot to prove.

Spotlight: Won 2022 Kim Muir here (3m2f, soft) and produced career-best performance when scoring by 13l over the big Aintree fences last season (3m2f, heavy); badly out of form this term, though, and this new discipline needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; 6lb out of the handicap.

Spotlight: Career highlight when narrow winner of Listed handicap chase at Punchestown festival (3m, soft) last May but out of form since returning in October from a break; big leap of faith required to support him on this cross-country chase debut; tried blinkers last time; usual cheekpieces back on today.