Spotlight

Largely consistent 7yo who gave it a good shot from the front when third in competitive Sandown handicap (2m4f, good) last month; eased in grade here and will be fine over the shorter trip; major contender.

Comment

Gave it a good shot from the front when third in competitive Sandown handicap last month

Stable Tour

"Somewhat frustrating and I admit he's becoming quite expensive to follow. Breathing problems came to the fore last season, so he had surgery in January and showed the benefit on his return when finally getting off the mark in a Taunton maiden hurdle. He did well for a summer break and clearly needed the run when only fifth at Chepstow last month. Harry Cobden came back and said we need to go right-handed and possibly go up in trip, but we stuck to two miles at Ascot on Saturday where I agree he looked like he needed further, so that's what we'll do next time. He's a novice until December 1 so we'll look for a soft little race somewhere. Not the easiest of rides as he doesn't do a lot in front. 04-11-25"

Quotes

Medical History

Spotlight

Clearly not herself when pulled up in valuable series final in March but quickly got career back on track with odds-on maiden win at Market Rasen (2m, good) last month; returns to a handicap on workable mark and remains lightly raced; shortlisted.

Comment

Odds-on maiden winner last month; returns to a handicap on workable mark; shortlisted

Stable Tour

"She's a very nice mare, a half-sister to Willmount. She's more than capable as she placed in a couple of bumpers at Uttoxeter and Huntingdon, but she ran a shocker over hurdles at the latter track in February. She'll try again over hurdles this season. 21-10-25"

Medical History

Spotlight

Consistent mare who kept on well for second behind progressive rival at Stratford (2m, good) last month and remains on a workable mark after subsequent 1lb nudge; probably won't be far away.

Comment

Consistent mare who kept on well for second at Stratford last month; in the mix again

Stable Tour

"She won two hurdle races over 2m in October and early November but then didn't stay at Newcastle when stepped up to 2m4½f. She was one of the few who had been purchased or moved across from the Declan Queally yard. We dropped her back to 2m at Plumpton on ­Monday and she was a close second, ­beaten three-quarters of a length. She did it really well at Hexham for her latest win and the handicapper took a proper swipe at her, but hopefully she can justify her mark. While we can run her in novices, she'll run in handicap company as her jumping is so effective. 05-12-24"

Quotes

Spotlight

Doubled tally with ready win off today's mark at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in November but ended last season with some disappointing efforts (albeit in competitive races) and has more to prove than some.

Comment

Ended last season with some disappointing efforts; others have much less to prove

Medical History

Spotlight

Made winning handicap debut in Ireland in April 2025 but had disappointing campaign for new stable last season; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here; needs to turn a corner.

Comment

Had disappointing campaign for new stable last season; tried in cheekpieces here

Quotes

Spotlight

Ex-French 4yo who finished down the field on first two British starts, in juvenile handicaps at Cheltenham Festival and Ascot in March; not beaten far on latter occasion, though, and had wind surgery soon afterwards; may yet come good for Ben Pauling.

Comment

Down the field on first two British starts but given wind op since; improvement possible

Medical History

Spotlight

Failed to complete two of his three chases in the autumn and now reverts to hurdling after a break; suited by this C&D and only 1lb above his last winning mark but entitled to benefit from this outing.

Comment

Failed to complete two of three chases in the autumn; reverts to hurdling after a break

Spotlight

Unexposed 5yo who won Catterick maiden (1m7f, good to soft) on stable/hurdle debut in February; not discredited in good race on next outing and had excuse for heavy defeat last time (bled from the nose); makes handicap debut here; could still have potential.

Comment

Maiden winner; had excuse last time (bled); makes handicap debut; still has potential

Spotlight

Chasing didn't go to plan last season (four attempts) and he was easily reeled in after making the running on return to hurdling in March; on a tempting mark now but his tendency to race far too freely remains a worry, and others are much less risky.

Comment

Chasing didn't go to plan last season and he was well beaten when back over hurdles

Stable Tour

"He was quite keen on his chase debut at Chepstow on Wednesday and I'd be keen to get him out again as soon as I can. He jumped well on the whole, if a bit exuberantly, so hopefully he'll learn on the job. He took a blow when he pecked on landing four out and Ben just looked after him from there. 07-11-25"

Medical History