Spotlight: He has a very strong record in this race with a close third in 2023 (soft), a win in 2024 (soft) and a solid second to Bob Olinger 12 months ago (good to soft); won three Grade 1s since, latest the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (2m7f, good to yielding) where he beat Bob Olinger by 7l (albeit with that rival lacking a recent outing, unlike this fellow); has had a break prior to running in this race in each of the last two seasons; leading player.

Spotlight: Lightly raced 6yo who won a handicap at Haydock (2m3f, good to soft) in November on stable debut and followed up in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle here (extended 2m4f, good) on New Year's Day, again with plenty in hand; this is a tough race in which to try to prove his stamina but he powered clear up the hill last time and could be a contender if seeing out this new trip.

Spotlight: Displayed superstar potential when easily winning the 2m5f Grade 1 novice hurdle here in 2024; mixed campaign over fences last term and he's reverted to hurdles this season, going very close behind Teahupoo in Grade 1 Hatton's Grace (2m4f, yielding to soft) before 14l third to that rival in Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle (2m7f, good to yielding); the first-time hood could help this headstrong 8yo settle but he may again be vulnerable to stronger stayers.

Spotlight: Two handicap wins here this season (3m, good) and he took the rise in grade in his stride to win the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D (soft) in January; the 7l runner-up Impose Toi was giving him 6lb and perhaps wasn't at his best, but this highly progressive 7yo was impressive nevertheless; his profile is not dissimilar to that of Paisley Park, who won the Cleeve for this yard in 2019 before landing this race; very much one to be interested in.

Spotlight: Now 11 but he was as good as ever last March when winning this race by nearly 2l from Teahupoo (good to soft; also effective on soft); respectable second to that rival at Leopardstown in December on sole run this season and his excellent record at Cheltenham means he has to be in calculations.

Spotlight: Stayed on well to win 2m4f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (good) last April and suited by the step up in trip when close second in Grade 1 at Punchestown (3m, yielding) later that month, when clear with Jasmin De Vaux who was impressive in the Albert Bartlett here previously; promising third behind Impose Toi in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December on sole run this winter, and this very lightly raced 6yo has the potential to take high rank in the staying hurdle division.

Spotlight: Handicap runner-up at last year's Festival; made it 3-3 over staying trips in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not seen to same effect when 7l second to Ma Shantou in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January but was conceding 6lb to the winner and the soft going perhaps wasn't ideal; could have a part to play if bouncing back to his best.

Spotlight: Won the Pertemps Final Handicap over C&D (good to soft) last March and he's performed respectably in Graded races this term, most recently third of six over C&D behind Ma Shantou and Impose Toi (soft; jockey dropped whip after final flight); it's possible he'll produce his best performance of the season now he's back into a bigger field over a C&D that clearly suits, but he'll probably still come up short; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Spotlight: Career highlight when winning the 2023 King George and he was running well when falling two out in the Gold Cup here that year; won two conditions hurdles last year; soundly beaten behind Impose Toi in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) in November last time and, although he's had a wind op and better ground may aid his cause, this 11yo looks up against it.

Spotlight: Two-time Grade 1 winner, latterly in 2024, who landed the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, showing he retains considerable spark at the age of 11; he's run well in this race previously but has found Grade 1 races tough over the last 12 months; could have same problem today.

Spotlight: Impressive in Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (3m, good to soft) last February but hasn't matched that form before or since; well beaten on final two runs for Dan Skelton last April and same story this term on both outings for Olly Murphy; starts out for another new yard and is hard to fancy.