Happy Birthday Malcolm & Danielle Handicap Hurdle

Took advantage of a drop in class at Plumpton (2m, soft) in October. Has found life tougher since but shaped better than distance beaten suggests when 16 lengths sixth of 17 at Aintree (2m, good) and could go well back in a Class 4 for the first time since Plumpton.

One to treat with caution over fences (bang there when swerving and unseating just before the last at Kempton last month) but he hasn't shown similar tendencies over hurdles and recorded some creditable efforts in this sphere over the winter.

Scored twice over hurdles for Kery Less last winter, including C&D. Started this season with a couple of creditable placed effort and enough in latest Taunton fifth to think he's still in form.

Completed a hat-trick in the autumn and even better form in defeat since, finishing second of 6 at Kempton (2m, good) 3 weeks ago. Merits respect.

Capitalised on a falling mark in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Exeter (17f, good, 10/1) in November. Respectable third of 9 at Huntingdon next time and given times since a poor run in a higher grade at Cheltenham in December.

Fair Flat winner who, fit from a placed effort on AW in January, made it fourth time luck over hurdles in 2m Taunton maiden in February. Third on handicap hurdle debut next time and has also run with credit on the Flat since.

Progressive on Flat for this yard and got back on the up in this sphere when comfortably landing 9-runner handicap at Southwell (2m, good) last October. Likely found the race coming to soon when third in a Class 3 at Wetherby only 10 days on from that. Considered returning from a break.

Smooth traveller who struck twice at Newton Abbot at the start of last summer but well beaten on recent return from a 6-month break at Taunton. Needs to leave that run well behind.

Winner at Newton Abbot (17f) last July and went in again when making all at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in December. Given a break since.

Fair maiden. Second of 3 in handicap hurdle (9/2) at Ludlow (2m, good) 33 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

Maiden hurdle winner in Ireland earlier in career. Campaigned almost exclusively on AW Flat for this yard, running below par at Wolverhampton last month. Probably best watched back over timber.