188Bet Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle (Listed)

Grade Two winner as a juvenile last season and scored in Listed company at Newbury in November (2m 0.5f, good to soft). Has won on ground ranging from good to firm through to heavy, so very versatile in that respect and he can be forgiven his defeat last time in a race that was more competitive than this. Respected.

Put together five wins off the reel in 2015, though has not added to that in this sphere. Nonetheless, he was fifth in last year's Triumph Hurdle and there is clearly still plenty of ability there, although the handicapper might just have his measure again today.

Another who enjoyed a purple patch in 2015/16, winning three on the Flat, followed by a couple of hurdles in a five-month spell. Behind Leoncavallo when ninth in the Triumph, he has been very competitive from similar marks to today's when handicapping this time and has to enter calculations.

Likeable juvenile last year when he won at both Cheltenham's trials meeting in a Grade Two and followed up in a novices' hurdle at Sandown (both on heavy). Disappointed when beaten a mile at Newbury on his only start this season, but unlikely to be back at the track if all is not well and with the yard flying, he could run a big race.

Won two novices' hurdles (good) and an Ascot handicap hurdle (good to soft) in 2016, the latter off 127. Well beaten at this level at Kempton last time, however, and has to prove that he is worthy of this competition.

Switches back from chasing and clearly has some ability, though this looks hot enough for this dual novices' hurdle scorer, even taking into accout a 3lb drop in the weights.

It can't rain enough for this recent heavy ground Leicester winner, who comes here trying to defy a 7lb penalty. Has backed up a win before now, so entitled to plenty of respect in this stiffer company.

5lb higher than his most recent winning mark today. Handles conditions, though best form over 2m and not hard to oppose him this time.

Didn't have the easiest of passages at Kempton last time and has been dropped 1lb as a result. Likely to do better over fences in time, but very lightly-raced and couldn't rule out a better showing today.

Has won from a 6lb higher mark, though in a significantly less competitive Plumpton race in 2015 (good). A win on soft also on his CV, though comes here out of form and is taken on.