Equine Products National Hunt Trainers League Handicap Chase

Fair hurdle winner who made it second time lucky over fences in 2m handicap here last November. Respectable third of 12 in a warm race at Carlisle (2m, good) on penultimate start last season before being brought down early at Hexham next time. Player back in calmer waters after 6 months off.

Veteran whose 5 career wins have come at Sedgefield and has been placed at the track 5 times since he's latest victory there, most recently when runner-up in a 5-runner chase (19f) 52 days ago. Respected on first run at this track.

Grand servant for these connections who won 4 of his final 6 starts in 2024/25 but showed little in points/hunter chase for W. M. Wanless and he's opposable back handicapping.

Hit the frame in a point/bumper but minor promise only over hurdles last season. Hinted at temperament on last month's comeback in that sphere at Sedgefield and he'll likely need to improve on chase debut.

Tumbled in the weights last season and built on his reappearance to capitalise in emphatic style in 5-runner event at Kelso (17f, good to soft) a fortnight ago. Remains well treated on old form but he took a heavy fall at Sedgefield on Tuesday, so remains to be seen if he's turned out quickly.

C&D winner in March 2025. Been given a chance in the weights and he returned from his summer break when second of 6 in handicap chase (7/1) at this C&D (good) 9 days ago, so merits consideration.

Unreliable sort seemed to benefit from first-time cheekpieces when 1½ lengths second of 5 to Illogical Logic at Hexham (2½m, good) at the start of last month but was beaten some way out at Sedgefield 2 weeks later. Others make much more appeal.

Has been revived of late, winning at Cartmel and Hexham on first 2 starts for new yard (by 1½ lengths from Kinbara Firstdraft for latter success). Ran respectably enough after a 4 lb rise when fourth of 7 at Sedgefield (21f, good) 18 days ago and isn't ruled out having seen his mark ease 2 lb.

Hasn't kicked on from his hurdle debut success at Ayr in 2023 and jumped ponderously reverted to hurdling when last seen in April. Has had a breathing operation but still hard to fancy back from 6 months off.