Spotlight: Three falls in 11 career starts; however, progressive otherwise and produced a strike-rate of 3-5 as a novice chaser last season, readily beating The Changing Man in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) final start; may well cope with 15lb rise the way he's going; highly respected.

Spotlight: Showed great versatility to bag Listed honours over 2m4f at Carlisle (good to soft) on reappearance, following up his success in the big end-of-season handicap over 3m4f at Sandown (sole attempt in cheekpieces, which are now reapplied); this second-season chaser looks capable of further progress back up in trip; shortlisted.

Spotlight: Only 1-13 over fences and the success (in Grade 2) was rather fortuitous with the favourite departing early; however, he's threatening to land a prize of this magnitude, having finished a solid second in five notable handicaps in the last 12 months, most recently at Ascot (3m, good) on seasonal debut; possibilities, provided he takes well to added cheekpieces.

Spotlight: Disappointing at the Cheltenham Festival but progressive (form figures 1121) otherwise over fences and impressive in a major handicap at Kempton (3m, good to soft) the time before; may still have more to offer and enters calculations with hurdles reappearance under his belt.

Spotlight: Close second in big-field event at the Punchestown festival (2m4f; sole handicap attempt) then edged ahead near the finish in Listed grade at Wexford (2m7f, good to yielding) on return from layoff, taking chase record to 33321; pedigree backs up the notion that he may well show additional improvement upped further in distance today; interesting contender.

Spotlight: Has done his winning at up to 2m4f; ran creditably over 2m3f in Grade 2 at Down Royal most recently; showed staying potential at the Cheltenham Festival but only in a substandard edition of the 3m Grade 1 novice chase; probably on a difficult mark.

Spotlight: Useful mare who has shown best form over 2m4f, including 4l success in major handicap at Cheltenham (soft) on seasonal debut when taking record over fences to 3-6 and strike-rate for current yard to 2-5; well treated under a penalty (3lb ahead of assessor) but the step back up in distance presents a question mark.

Spotlight: Ran creditably when favourite at Bangor (3m, soft) on reappearance, taking chase record to 332112; now goes into deeper waters but he is a solid type who may still improve further and looks well handicapped (future mark 3lb higher); could go well.

Spotlight: Absent since midfield in the big spring race won by Resplendent Grey; good third, despite lacking fluency, in this contest on reappearance last term; however, now 4lb higher and still seeking first British win away from Ascot (4-5 there).

Spotlight: Campaigned mostly on good/good to soft; useful form as a novice chaser featured a Listed win at Cheltenham and second-place finishes in Grade 1 event and major handicap at Kempton, all over 3m; may resume progress with Cheltenham reappearance (in race won by Three Card Brag) under his belt; the type to perform well in this race.

Spotlight: Form has been patchy since March; easily justified favouritism in small field at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) most recently, opening his chase account at the eighth attempt, but may struggle to follow up in this much deeper race and better grade.

Spotlight: Well equipped for this assignment having performed well in big fields this autumn, finishing second to Spanish Harlem in the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, yielding) then going one better at Cheltenham (3m1f, good); now on a tougher mark but he's better than ever.

Spotlight: Maiden over fences prior to going 2-2 this season; comfortably beat Three Card Brag in the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, yielding) last time and that form looks solid; stays 4m; hit hard by the assessor but this Mullins runner may be capable of additional progress.

Spotlight: Chase record is only 1-8 but he has Grade 1 form, including fourth-place finish in this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup; however, he's lumbered with a big burden on handicap debut and the last horse to defy top weight in this contest was the mighty Denman in 2009.

Spotlight: Has very good form at Fairyhouse, notably a success in the 2024 Irish National and solid second in the 2025 Bobbyjo Chase; returns to a more suitable trip, having found 2m5f inadequate on reappearance, but may not peak until later in the campaign.

Spotlight: Has fairly useful form at 2m4f/2m6f over fences, including placed efforts at the Cheltenham Festival last term and Galway on reappearance; however, still seeking first chase win and has something to prove back up in distance; not the percentage call.

Spotlight: Ran encouragingly at Cheltenham (race won by Three Card Brag) on seasonal debut and only third start for new stable; scored twice at Newbury a couple of seasons ago and his connections landed this prize last year; 2lb out of the weights but has promising credentials.

Spotlight: Absent since falling on the first circuit when prominent in betting for the Grand National; successful in notable handicaps (3m, chase/hurdle) at Leopardstown in last two completed starts but may need this reappearance run, with his main targets possibly lying ahead.

Spotlight: Absent since an excusable run (bled from nose) in February; largely progressive (at up to 3m) otherwise and has a good strike-rate; however, goes into unknown territory over this distance and has to overcome a career-high mark; yet to win beyond 2m3f.

Spotlight: Performed well in major handicaps over 3m at Doncaster (won gamely) and 3m4f at Sandown (close second off current mark) in the 2023-24 campaign; absent since, however, and returns as a 10yo; it remains to be seen whether he retains full ability.

Spotlight: Quite a useful mare but rather exposed, as a chase record of 1-10 reflects, and she has regressive form this term; folded tamely at Cork (3m4f) most recently and can be comfortably opposed in this hot handicap.

Spotlight: Has done his winning over 2m4f/2m5f, last time in intermediate chase at Newton Abbot (good to soft); faces a stiffer assignment off revised mark in this prestigious handicap and has stamina to prove over the new trip; others preferred.

Spotlight: Overcame a bad late mistake to win notable handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January but has proved inconsistent over fences and hurdles since; dropped away over 3m last time and isn't crying out for this new trip; opposed.

Spotlight: Campaigned mostly at up to 2m4f; in the process of running creditably when final-fence faller at Stratford on seasonal debut; far more exposed than some of these rivals, including stablemate The Doyen Chief, and has stamina to prove back up in trip.