Vickers Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

C&D-winning veteran who has remained in top form since resuming winning ways at Cartmel (17.2f) in July. Finished ½-length second to a gambled-on raider from the Willie Mullins yard over C&D last time. Still operating in 0-100 company and may go one better under promising 10-lb claimer.

Surprise winner of a muddling C&D novice in August. No-show at Bangor prior to again outrunning his odds when ¾-length second in a race run to suit on handicap debut here (17f), worried out of it close home by Clean Getaway. Step back up in trip likely to benefit and still relatively unexposed.

Dictated/resumed progress to get off the mark in a change of headgear at Market Rasen in April. That form didn't work out, though isn't best judged on an end-of-season effort at the same track the following month. Could get the run of the race on his return.

Wasn't as zestful on either start following her handicap chase success at Catterick last season. Arrives on the back of a typically low-key return (had another breathing operation in the interim) at Perth. Weighted to be competitive if back on song.

Best recent effort came when third in a competitive race for the grade at Perth (2½m) in July. Ran better than at Cartmel when 8¾-length fourth of 9 here in late-August. Now back on the same mark as his latest success in a C&D handicap over Christmas (didn't go unsupported on that occasion).

Relatively lightly-raced hurdler who arrives in good form. Beaten by 2 lengths or less on her previous 3 starts, going as close as she has when runner-up at Perth 7 weeks ago. Notable that Joshua Thompson prefers her to Top Flight Century, too.

Maiden who was well placed when 5½ lengths third in a better race at Kelso (2m) in May. Added to a patchy record when well below that level at Market Rasen the following month. Still hard to discount on the pick of her form, provided a first-time tongue strap has the desired effect on return.

Sole career success came in novice handicap chase here in November 2024. Probably needed the run on belated return to hurdling earlier this month and this may well be a springboard to a winter campaign over fences.

Six-time course winner (hurdles/fences). Made hard work of capitalising on a falling mark in a first-time visor on return to hurdles (2m) here latest. Could be worth opposing off 3 lb higher, for all he's probably ready for this step back up in trip.