Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle

Talented performer when on-song, as he proved when scoring at Sandown and going close at Cheltenham last term. However, he has offered little in 2 starts for his new yard so far this season and now has plenty to prove.

:Progressive novice and kicked on again last season with back-to-back wins at Kempton (24.5f) and Exeter (23f). Best to overlook poor effort when last seen (race came too soon, just 3 days after Exeter success) and well worth a check in the market on return from 11-month absence. Had wind operation.

Grade 2 novice hurdle winner at Ascot in 2019 who ran best race for Harry Fry when runner-up at Taunton 12 months ago. Didn't show much on return/debut for this yard over C&D but tongue tie is now back on.

Useful hurdler who generally held her form last year and put in a good shift when third of 9 on return at Sandown (19.8f, soft). Upped to 3m and disappointing at Kempton since.

French Flat winner who upped his game to open his hurdling account at the fourth attempt in a handicap at Wetherby last time. Even better effort when runner-up from 6 lb higher over C&D last month and limit not yet reached.

Fairly useful bumper/hurdle winner in for Gordon Elliott in 2020 but has struggled badly in recent times. Remains to be seen if a change of stable makes any difference.

Winning start over fences at Exeter last season but it's been all downhill since, with significant issues surfacing in the jumping department. On a good mark as a hurdler based on exploits a couple of seasons back but he has plenty to prove at present.

Promising second in Uttoxeter bumper and improved on hurdling debut form despite still looking rough around the edges when runner-up at Chepstow (2m) last month. More to come now venturing into handicaps up in trip.

Just modest in bumpers but showed much improved form to get off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles in 14-runner Lingfield maiden a month ago, finding plenty to lead dying strides. Opening mark demands further progress but that's possible. Tongue tied.

Dual juvenile winner in 2019/20 but didn't go on as hoped in handicaps in 2021 and hasn't shown much for new connections in 2 starts since returning from a lengthy absence.

Showed benefit of comeback run and justified good support to score over fences at Fakenham (2m) in November. Backed it up with a creditable second at Sedgefield but ran no sort of race over 2m here 18 days ago and now up in trip back hurdling.