Assured Partners Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Useful at his best in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead but no impact in handicap chases for current yard and it remains to be seen whether a return to hurdles improves matters.

Thrived for new yard, returning from 9 months off to complete a hat-trick in 2m Leicester handicap (heavy) in December, beating a subsequent winner. A 4-month break isn't a concern given how well he goes fresh and there could well be more improvement to come.

Made all in 17f Carlisle novice (soft) in October has struggled to land a telling blow in 3 handicaps since. Still relatively early days but others arrive with more pressing claims.

Won 2m course maiden hurdle on Rules debut in August and stepped up a good deal on that form when adding to his tally in 2½m Newcastle novice in February. Bold show likely from what looks a workable opening handicap mark.

Runner-up first 2 starts and cemented positive start when landing the odds in 8-runner maiden hurdle at Hexham (2½m) last month. Creditable third on 3m Ayr handicap debut since. Surprise if he's reached his limit after only 4 starts.

French recruit who opened his account on British soil over C&D last May. Has found life tougher since but dangerous to dismiss back here off his reduced mark.

Well held in a bumper and 3 maiden hurdles in Ireland. An opening handicap mark of 107 looks very tough on the face of things but still worth monitoring in the betting for a respected Irish yard.

Won back-to-back 20.5f handicaps in the mud at Ayr in February. Went off too hard in a series final at Kelso next time and wasted no time showing he's still in form when third of 13 back at Ayr (good ground) 13 days ago.

Successful in a 3¼m course handicap last May. Creditable efforts in defeat later in 2024 and the type to bounce back from a rare below-par run at Ayr in January. This trip possibly shorter than ideal for him these days, though.