F Ball Yellow Bucket Handicap Hurdle

Tends to save his best for Ludlow (all 3 career wins there). Hasn't looked in top form since a late fall over C&D in June (booked for second at the time), for all he was poorly placed behind Uncle Remus here last time.

Improved when starting 2-2 in handicaps at Stratford/Southwell. Went missing for a couple of outings before belying market weakness to land a 4-runner Bangor handicap latest, presumably benefitting from another breathing operation/cheekpieces. This demands more again.

Fair 1½m maiden winner on the Flat. Promising runs either side of a fall at Aintree in May, not ideally placed when 7½ lengths behind Uncle Remus on return (80/1) over C&D last time. Entitled to build on that and still early days in handicaps for a useful yard.

Free-going sort who shaped better than the beaten distance on both handicap starts to date, paying the price for a swift move into contention at Taunton in March. Could prove on a handy mark if settling in first-time tongue strap on return (first runner for new Hunt & Vaughan partnership).

Fairly useful stayer on Flat (stays 2m). Caught the eye of the stewards over C&D before again not taking to Worcester's brush hurdles on qualifying run in late-July. Return to this track will suit and opening mark an attractive one in the context of his Flat ability.

Steadily progressed in bumpers for previous yard. Did plenty wrong in the early stages of his hurdling career, however, he kept mistakes at a minimum at Fontwell prior to opening his hurdles account over C&D last time. Could still be reasonably treated on his fair bumper form.

Fairly useful-middle distance winner for Karl Burke. Much improved when ½-length second on handicap hurdle bow at Southwell in May. Likely to go one better at some point given his Flat background/excellent connections, though will need to be a bit sharper than last time if today's the day.

Fair 3-time Flat winner. Decisively opened his hurdle account at Wetherby (2m, soft) in February. Matched that form on return (had a breathing operation in the interim) when 2½-length second at Worcester. Will hardly be a surprise if he finds the required improvement on second start for Dan Skelton.

Half-brother to useful hurdler. Runner-up on hurdling debut prior to looking fortunate to go one better in another small-field event at Stratford in July. Underlined he isn't one for maximum faith on Flat since but still potentially interesting pitched into open handicap company by excellent yard.

Steadily progressive in maidens on the Flat last year. Now getting the hang of things as a hurdler, too, notching a third in-frame finish from 4 handicap starts when 2½ lengths behind Uncle Remus over C&D. Each-way claims once again.

Twice a runner up at Stratford prior to belatedly opening her account in an 11-runner handicap over C&D in July. Has run creditably on 2 of her 3 starts since, latterly 4¾ lengths behind Uncle Remus. A 1 lb reprieve may not be enough, though.