Spotlight: Front-runner who has finished first past the post in all six attempts over 2m4f (disqualified on one occasion due to banned substance); bagged Grade 1 honours in the Scilly Isles at Sandown (soft) most recently, following up his easy success over this C&D (good to soft) and taking chase record to 3-3; sticks to this trip instead of going for the Arkle or Brown Advisory; still has something to prove in a big field and isn't sure to get an easy lead but otherwise brings several selling points.

Spotlight: Nephew of Denman; unraced on heavy, acts on any other ground; cost £660,000 at a dispersal sale at one point, proved a smart novice hurdler and has picked up C&D experience (latest start) en route to this prize, making him virtually a carbon copy of last year's winner Caldwell Potter for the same connections; has a broadly solid overall record to boot, including form figures of 312 since switched to fences, and likely remains capable of further progress; very strong credentials.

Spotlight: Has a record of 5-8 overall and 3-4 since switched to chasing; looked a serious threat to stablemate Kdeux Saint Fray when final-fence faller on the Old course here (2m4f) in November; rallied well for a couple of narrow wins since, latest on Trials day in the C&D novice handicap (soft) that has been such a good pointer to this race and indeed this meeting in general; appears very likely to finish strongly and continue his progress; big player.

Spotlight: Has the same strike-rate as Jordans Cross, being 5-8 overall; struggled in the Game Spirit when bidding to take chase record to 3-3; faces a more suitable assignment in this contest and although he has raced mainly at about 2m, the return to 2m4f promises to suit; good third in major novice handicap hurdle at Sandown (good to soft) in sole attempt over this distance; major contender, with further improvement still plausible.

Spotlight: Has form on most types of ground; consistent sort who has never finished out of the first three in his completed starts; broadly suffering from a frustrating bout of seconditis since switched to chasing (2m4f/3m) but this return to Cheltenham may prove the cure, as he won the 2024 Supreme in sole attempt at this venue; major Irish stable landed this corresponding prize in 2019; on an attractive mark and holds solid claims.

Spotlight: Trained in France but campaigned exclusively in British races since the start of last year, most recently opening his chase account in Chepstow event (2m, soft) having settled better than usual; form of that ready success has been franked by the runner-up since; hood worn the last twice is retained; this low-mileage 5yo remains open to further progress and has possibilities provided he stays the new trip; bids to atone for his flop when favourite for the Fred Winter at this meeting 12 months ago.

Spotlight: Seems versatile as regards ground; has consistent form since switched to chasing and latest effort has been franked by the smart winner since; something to find with Slade Steel on Navan running (2m4f) the time before but may be ready to peak and complete a full set by adding to his point, bumper and hurdle wins; one to consider.

Spotlight: Campaigned mostly on soft/good to soft; bumper/hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls; record of 121 (over 2m4f) since joining new yard and switched to chasing, both wins gained in comfortable fashion, latest at Haydock; could make some waves in these deeper waters, being a lightly raced and improving contender.

Spotlight: Low-mileage 6yo whose hurdles form comprised 2m/3m wins (including Listed) either side of a comprehensive defeat in the Turners at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival; faces a more realistic task in a handicap back here and three placed efforts over fences, the latest a good one at Punchestown, set him up nicely for a crack at this prize.

Spotlight: Returns from a layoff, having shown all of his chase form in the autumn, winning twice (including 2m4f Grade 3) prior to a form-dip in Fairyhouse Grade 1; needs to resume progress but has big-field handicap experience, namely a good effort over hurdles at the 2025 Dublin Racing Festival; cheekpieces added.

Spotlight: Came up well short in the 2m5f handicap hurdle at this meeting last year but may fare better in this return visit as he's still unexposed over fences and has a solid record since switched to this sphere; comfortably justified favouritism at Gowran Park (2m3f) most recently, producing a career-best RPR; peaking at the right time.

Spotlight: Rather fortuitous winner on the Old course here (2m4f, soft) in November as stablemate Jordans Cross looked a massive threat when falling; finished 5l behind that rival in the rematch over C&D on Trials day, shaping as if ready for a crack at further; duly ran well, despite jumping left at times, in major 3m handicap at right-handed Kempton (good to soft) since; brings notable form but possibly isn't crying out for the drop back in trip; 1lb out of weights.

Spotlight: Failed to complete a hat-trick but was far from discredited at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time in the Reynoldstown, which was won 12 months earlier by a stablemate who subsequently finished second in the Ultima at this meeting; may have more to offer back down in distance, being 4-4 at 2m3f-2m5f; the tea leaves are signalling that he'll run well.

Spotlight: Non-stayer over 3m on heavy ground last time; consistent form otherwise this term features two Grade 3 wins and a couple of 8l seconds at Grade 1 level; useful sort but doesn't necessarily look well treated and likely needs improvement to defy top weight in this hot handicap.

Spotlight: Has shown most of his form on Welsh tracks, latterly Chepstow since switched to chasing; ran well when bidding for a 2m3f double and was in a narrow lead, albeit being challenged, when falling three out last time; faces a much stiffer task from 5lb out of the weights at this level.

Spotlight: Prevailed in a big field at Galway (2m6f, good) on chase debut but has failed to back up that form since and was particularly disappointing in October when bidding for a second win at the Cheltenham Showcase meeting; wears first-time headgear; less solid than others.

Spotlight: Has inconsistent form since switched to chasing and two non-completions were caused by bad mistakes; fared best of the eight runners from his yard in competitive handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival (2m5f) most recently but isn't certain to back up that effort.

Spotlight: Finished third behind shorter-priced stablemates in last two outings and is again facing stronger candidates from his own yard, before even considering the many other dangers; overall record of just 2-15 reflects that he hasn't progressed as well as expected; 2lb out of the handicap.

Spotlight: Campaigned mainly over 3m; form dipped in Grade 2 most recently; had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; comfortably beat his three rivals at Doncaster (chase debut; good to soft) in sole handicap attempt and although this is a stiffer assignment he's interesting from a pedigree angle, being related to Tully East who won this corresponding race in 2017.