Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier)

A horse with a very nice jumps pedigree and he has shown that on the racecourse, winning five of his 18 starts, most recent of those was back in 2015. Stays beyond 3m but out of form for over a year now, hence being 4lb below his last winning mark. Tongue strap applied for the first time and yard's runners going very well, so while he has plenty to prove, he can't be completely ruled out.

Won a bumper and a couple of novices' hurdles with plenty of cut in the ground and ran well over C&D on his chasing debut (heavy, first-time cheekpieces) in November, while he has also put in decent efforts over shorter trips on a couple of occasions since. Slightly disappointing at Cheltenham last time, but he can be forgiven one bad run and he remains of interest back here in first-time blinkers.

Losing run now up to 17 races and has not scored for over two years, but has often been competitive, including when runner-up at Leopardstown last month. Seems to go on any ground and sees out 3m.

Another Irish raider, albeit with a significantly different profile, coming here after just six career starts. Has won a bumper and a maiden hurdle on testing ground, though has found both a Grade Two and a big field handicap hurdle too much on his last two starts. Respected nonetheless.

Comes here seeking a hat-trick following wins at Plumpton (3m1f, heavy) and Market Rasen (2m4f, soft), going up 10lb after the latter. Would prefer more rain, but could still be very competitive from today's mark and is likely to need to win if he is going to get into the final.

Comfortable C&D scorer (soft) last month, for which he has gone up 12lb. Very much open to further improvement after just eight starts and another who is likely to need to win this to get into the final itself.

Has looked a progressive gelding for connections, winning three of his six starts and no disgrace when coming unstuck at Musselburgh last time. Possibly that the slightly slower forecast going here will suit him better than last time and far from ruled out from the same mark.

Cheekpieces worn at Cheltenham (3m, good) in December are retained today, while conditional jockey now back on board to help offset the 7lb rise. Handles forecast conditions and stable now back among the winners, so a strong case can be made for him.

Irish raider whose three career wins have come in his last four starts. Clearly thriving at present at trips up to 2m4f and on testing ground but slight concern that on his only previous try over this far he produced a poor performance. Something to prove in that respect, plus a hike in the weights to defy.

Won six of her last seven starts on ground ranging from good to firm through to soft and at trips around today's and just beyond. The daughter of Norse Dancer has gone up 44lb as a result of all that, including a 6lb rise for her latest win at Kempton's Christmas meeting, but you would be hard pressed to take her on with confidence and she comes here in preference to a couple of other contests over the next couple of days.