Paxtons No1 CaseIH Dealer Handicap Hurdle

Useful at best on Flat (stays 1¾m) before underwhelming in maiden/novice hurdles. Showed much more for the switch to a handicap when 1½ length-second to William Yeats over C&D latest, snatched up close home. Now 2 lb better off with that rival and still attractively handicapped on his Flat form.

Fairly useful winner on Flat. Hasn't kicked on since opening his hurdles account in a fair 17f handicap here last September. Given a break since a poor run in first-time blinkers at Worcester in July. Cheekpieces now back on and yard's record here (6 wins from 11 runners) offers hope of a revival.

Low-mileage 5-y-o. Belatedly delivered on the promise of last winter's course bumper success when winning a C&D handicap following 5 months away recently. He's 2 lb worse off with Aimeric on this occasion, though hardly looks fully exposed on just his third start for current yard.

Regressive on the Flat. Made more impact than previously over hurdles when ¾-length second in C&D novice last time (subsequent winner in third not seen to best effect in a messy race). In capable hands but opening mark demands better again.

Ran well both previous starts here, finishing runner-up in maiden hurdle and landing a fair chase success here last April. No impact from slipping hurdles mark this season, however, could do better returning to this track on the back of another breathing operation.

Latest success came off this mark at Market Rasen last June. Stepped forward from her previous run when 6½ lengths fourth of 7 over C&D on Wednesday. Fairly treated but isn't the easiest to win with nowadays.

Has fallen a long way in the weights since his last success at Market Rasen in September 2024. Plausible excuses first 2 starts this season prior to finishing well-held fourth of 8 under a marked change of tactics at Worcester (2½m). Isn't one to totally dismiss at longish odds.

Fair Flat winner who hasn't fired in either code following a successful handicap hurdle debut at Wetherby in spring of 2025 (has bled). Returns from 5 months away with yard's hurdlers in good form and does at least benefit from the services of Brian Hughes for the first time.

Maiden who arrived following back-to-back seconds at Stratford/Newton Abbot when a disappointing favourite here last month. Saddle slipped on subsequent outing over C&D, though, and her 7-lb amateur has at least made a promising-enough start under Rules (3-17).

Maiden who was popular in the market when third in a pair of novice events at Doncaster/Catterick last season. Unshipped her rider early on seasonal reappearance at Kelso in May but was beaten a long way following a further 3 months off at Worcester last time.