Spotlight: Only 1-17 on Flat in Ireland but is building up a good strike-rate over hurdles for new stable; completed a hat-trick with Southwell success (2m) most recently, beating some of these rivals; improving.

Spotlight: Beat all bar a notable rival on hurdles debut; questionable whether he has improved in justifying favouritism twice since, all out at Huntingdon (2m) latest; however, has a smart pedigree and may do better still.

Spotlight: Two novice wins in November and generally consistent otherwise; ties in with some of these rivals on Sandown (Imperial Cup) and Southwell form the last twice; solid contender who should give his running.

Spotlight: Registered odds-on wins over hurdles in Scotland and the far north of England; respectable eighth when 28-1 for the Imperial Cup here last time but needs improvement in this similarly valuable race.

Spotlight: Ex-French mare who hasn't lived up to expectations in two starts since Kempton win and was behind some of these opponents last time; however, she's very nicely bred and may yet resume progress; not written off.

Spotlight: Solid operator, with form figures of 314 in bumpers and 212 over hurdles; ties in with some of these opponents on Southwell running last time; half-brother to smart Gidleigh Park and open to further progress.

Spotlight: Only four runs in total; galloped on strongly up the run-in at Taunton (2m) latest, opening his account; could well build on that emphatic win and show further improvement; interesting off bottom weight.

Spotlight: Useful on Flat and has a solid record (2122) over hurdles; penultimate effort in this sphere is a strong piece of form; however, rather lacks room for significant progress, having raced 41 times in total.

Spotlight: Made a winning debut over hurdles and has proved very consistent in defeat since, creditable third in Newbury handicap (2m) most recently; faces a stiffer task off same mark in this bigger prize.

Spotlight: Only 1-8 over hurdles but has a generally consistent record and two starts since wind surgery include the Taunton success (2m); French Flat form suggests he's capable of rating higher still in this sphere.

Spotlight: Two wins apiece on Flat and under this code, notably in 4yo Listed hurdle; subsequently ran well in substandard Adonis then had a straightforward task at Stratford; this assignment demands best form yet.

Spotlight: Juvenile hurdler whose progress culminated in a share of the spoils (dead-heated) at Cheltenham in December; limitations seemingly exposed since, never dangerous in the Fred Winter last time.

Spotlight: Juvenile hurdler who has failed to back up his Chepstow Grade 2 effort in two subsequent outings, turned over at short odds latest; has something to prove off his mark and is not a solid option.

Spotlight: Good fourth in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree is flanked by wins that were straightforward tasks; returns to deeper waters and concedes weight all round having gone up 15lb for penultimate effort.