Without a win since 2015 and now 0-10 over hurdles having once more weakened late in the piece at Exeter this month over similar trip on first start after win surgery.

Makes his handicap debut having shown very little in bumpers and over hurdles so far (pulled up on his last two starts). Sports a hood (has worn various headgear to little effect previously) and needs to improve.

Landed a selling novice handicap hurdle in determined fashion at Exeter last month (2m2½f, good; 16-1) and ran to similar level of form back there since. Shouldn't be far away when it matters.

Seven-race maiden for whom positives have been in short supply, including four stars over timber. No improvement on handicap bow at Plumpton (2m, good; 40-1) this month and relying on cheekpieces having a dramatic first-time effect now.

Successful on the Flat in France back in 2017 scoring on three occasions, but 0-8 so far over timber for this trainer. Not devoid of promise (twice placed) though will require a career-best in this sphere to pick up the prize.

Best effort (from six) since arriving from Ireland when third at Taunton (2m½f, good; 25-1) last month came despite racing a bit too keenly early on. Entitled to build on that run.

Lightly-raced for a nine-year-old, form is nothing to scream about but produced a much better effort over C&D three weeks ago when staying on to take third spot (never troubling front pair, 7-2f). Can hold similar aspirations and maybe more.

Much-improved when scoring over C&D a fortnight ago as a 40-1 chance, getting up late on despite sketchy jump at second last. Had previously been unplaced in nine runs over hurdles. Runs from 5lb higher and of interest now.