Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle

Wants heavy ground to be seen at his absolute best but put some solid performances in on a sound surface on his first couple of starts this season. Drop back in trip should suit but may struggle from this handicap mark.

Won on his second start since wind surgery at Doncaster last time out, making it two wins from his last three starts. 6lb rise looks manageable given the form he's in at present and expected to go well here.

Shaped well on his seasonal return here at the International meeting when third of nine. Well suited to quick ground and left on the same mark by the handicapper here; expected to go well.

Has fallen to a very nice mark but with good reason having shown absolutely nothing in any of his recent outings. Hard to fancy at present.

Looked progressive over hurdles last year but has shown nothing in three starts over fences this time around. Interesting if a return to this discipline can re-ignite him.

A winner in France but well beaten in two starts for this yard. Needs to learn to settle better to have any sort of say and no headgear applied this time around.

Largely consistent and this ground/trip probably just about his optimum, as seen when winning at Wincanton two runs back. Ran okay in this race last year but perhaps lacks the scope of some of his rivals in this race.

Has been a little frustrating to follow this season with a number of placed of efforts and his career best run came on soft ground. His only Cheltenham experience was a fair bumper effort back in 2017 and others preferred this time.

Consistent sort since joining this yard and deservedly got his head in front at Doncaster last time out. 5lb higher in a much stronger race this time around though and looks opposable.

Fairly useful when on the Flat and signed off last season with a hurdles success at Uttoxeter. Both efforts this year have been solid in a pair of decent races at Sandown and expected to go well here.

Only won once for Gary Moore but promising run last time, his second start for this yard when in front until wandering and making a bad mistake two out. Same handicap mark here and if he can avoid such errors this time he ought to go close.

Made a solid start to his hurdles career with a second at Chepstow but fell next time and failed to justify odds-on favouritism at Market Rasen last time out when only fourth of 12. Return to quicker ground may help but others hold stronger claims.