Spotlight

Dual hurdle winner who went close to breaking his duck over fences off this mark at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last month, with a tongue-tie added to refitted cheekpieces following a second wind operation; merits serious consideration back over hurdles with the stable in good form.

Comment

Reverts to hurdles after going close over fences latest; key player for in-form stable.

Medical History

Spotlight

Dual 2m7f hurdle winner last year, latest success at Uttoxeter (soft) in November off 2lb lower; followed that with a solid effort in a Class 2 at Cheltenham; form has dipped since but recent return may have been needed and he's worth considering with that run behind him.

Comment

Dual hurdle winner; form dipped of late but not out of it if improved for comeback run.

Stable Tour

"He's been unlucky a few times, hitting the deck, but he's a lovely jumper. He looked to have the race in the bag at Ludlow last time and it wasn't his fault because the track was so slippy they abandoned the next chase. The jockey said his leg slipped and he chested the fence and unseated him. He can win over hurdles and fences. He's a tough horse who stays well, he just needs a change of luck. 12-11-25"

Spotlight

Dual hurdle winner (2m-2m5f, good) but yet to win in handicap company and was out of sorts in a light campaign last season; shaped as though the run may have been needed on last month's reappearance but remains with something to prove on recent evidence despite a further ease in the weights.

Spotlight

Mixed form last season; peak efforts included third at Market Rasen (2m2f) on Boxing Day and second off this mark at Hereford in April latest; not guaranteed to back that up but he's in the mix if repeating that effort with cheekpieces now added.

Comment

Runner-up latest and holds solid claims if backing that up with cheekpieces now added.

Spotlight

Two wins for Chris Down last year, latest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) off 3lb lower; well-held fourth of seven on stable/seasonal debut at Worcester (2m5f) but ran well for a long way; worth considering with that run behind him.

Comment

Should be sharper for last month's return on stable debut and he's worth considering.

Spotlight

Bumper winner last year; yet to add to that in five hurdle starts but has shown ability, notably when third at Newcastle (2m7f, good) in October; below-par effort in November and well held on last month's reappearance at Perth (3m2f, good to soft); may come on from that but others appeal more.

Comment

Well held on last month's return; may come on from that but others appeal more.

Spotlight

Came back to form in the autumn and gained a deserved success at Stratford (2m6f) in October, following that with two solid placed efforts off higher marks, latest at Hereford (3m2f) in November off 2lb lower and all on good ground; has a career-high mark to defy but is reliable and has gone well off a similar break before.

Stable Tour

"He's been a consistent sort. We tried fences with him but he probably didn't enjoy it so we brought him back to hurdles. He's enjoying it and has come back to a bit of form. He's had a bit of a winter break and we might try to qualify him for the Albert Bartlett Anglo-Irish race at the Punchestown festival. He enjoys the better ground and it might be a nice pot for him. 19-02-25"

Spotlight

Yet to build on November's promising hurdle debut when third at Hereford (2m3f, good), with progress interrupted by absences and he was always out the back when tailed off on his comeback run 28 days ago; probably capable of better in time but still best watched on handicap debut.

Comment

Makes handicap debut; likely capable of better in time but probably best watched for now.

Spotlight

7-39, with three wins over hurdles, but he's hard to predict and was badly out of sorts in the autumn; unseated early on last month's return and reverts to hurdles off his last winning mark, but it's difficult to know what to expect.

Stable Tour

"He ran well when narrowly denied over hurdles at Newton Abbot last time. He's a tough, genuine little horse and I'd imagine he'll run over fences at some point this season, although we may mix and match it with him. He's a good one for the small tracks and is versatile in terms of the ground and trip. 02-11-23"

"A tough, genuine handicapper. He won at Stratford in early October and was third at Ludlow last week behind Tightenourbelts. He's not very big and fences get in his way sometimes, but he's very genuine. He's a joy to have around the place and I hope he can carry on giving a good account of himself. 24-12-24"

Spotlight

Yet to add to his sole win at Warwick (2m3f, good) over two years ago and recent evidence doesn't suggest a breakthrough is imminent; not dismissed completely but needs a revival.

Comment

Sole win came over two years ago and, though not entirely dismissed, a revival is needed.

Spotlight

Completed a hat-trick over fences in France last autumn, all around 2m2f on deep ground, but has shown little in three handicap chase runs for this stable this year; reverts to hurdles off a lower mark and the step up in trip needs to spark a turnaround.

Comment

Switches to hurdles off a lower mark but the step up in trip needs to spark a turnaround.