Spotlight

Made all for two good-ground novice hurdle wins last November (2m, 2m3f); lesser form this year likely more to do with a refusal to settle under restraint than the move to handicaps, but a return to previous tactics may put him in a pace battle with a few here; chasers in pedigree.

Comment

Made all in two novice hurdles (2m, 2m3f); pace rivalry if returning to those tactics.

Medical History

Spotlight

3-4 under Liam Harrison, gaining this year's Newcastle (good to soft) and Huntingdon (good) hurdles wins from the front but earlier bumper and point gains came under patient tactics; no chasers in immediate pedigree but his mark looks about right for this chasing/handicap debut.

Comment

Okay mark for chasing/handicap debut; not wholly wedded to recent assertive tactics.

Spotlight

Less contested lead than often the case when making it seventh time lucky over fences at Huntingdon last month (2m, good), and Stratford second off 6lb higher since consolidated that form; up another 1lb here but pace rivalry could prove more the issue.

Comment

Made most at Huntingdon last month (2m, good) and backed that up latest; rivals for lead.

Quotes

Spotlight

Run of progressive hurdling RPRs halted by an unsuccessful step up to 2m7f back in January; not bred for fences and needs to prove able to translate his better work back to good ground, but trip more suitable again.

Comment

Trip to blame for backwards step last time; not an obvious one for chasing on pedigree.

Spotlight

Productive autumn included a Carlisle hurdles win (2m1f, good) off 4lb lower; two flops either side of a late fall since March, however, and doesn't enter this chasing debut in the same good heart as some.

Comment

Another hurdles win last autumn (2m1f, good), but two flops and a fall more recently.

Stable Tour

"He didn't fire at Haydock last week. He made a few mistakes and stopped very quickly. He likes good ground and he'll keep going. He's quite a speedy horse who wants a fast 2m. He was improving before that last run and we'll get to the bottom of it. 13-03-26"

Medical History

Spotlight

Can do too much in front but no alarms when making all in a Catterick claiming hurdle for Jennie Candlish in March (1m7f, good); out of a half-sister to a minor chase winner, but not bred for this job otherwise.

Comment

Claiming hurdle win in March (1m7f, good); didn't last out on the Flat since; chase debut.

Stable Tour

"He's in a claiming hurdle at Catterick on Wednesday and should win. He ran second in a handicap hurdle there last time. He's just a bit too high in the ratings to win a handicap hurdle but he should be competitive in this grade. He may go back on the Flat as he's rated only 63. 04-03-26"

Quotes