Trainer - Paul Nicholls
Jockey - Lorcan Williams
Plenty going for him in recent weeks, with two seconds at Kempton and Wetherby respectfully, but now faces a significant drop in trip which is questionable.
Solid each way claims being a previous course and dinner winner, and has the luxury of a 5lb claimer aboard.
Trainer - Nicky Henderson
Jockey - Jeremiah McGrath
Clearly held in high regard at home, and has begun the season superbly.
Returned with a comfortable victory over the top-weighted Old Guard at Kempton, before landing a Grade 2 at Wincanton latest beating two classy hurdlers.
Favourite.
Trainer - Dan Skelton
Jockey - Bridget Andrews
Career highlight when winning the County Hurdle with this jockey aboard at the Cheltenham Festival in March, and is now weighted to his best.
Decent enough return run at Ffos Las last month, when finishing a close fourth.
Another with a solid each way shout.
Trainer - Nicky Henderson
Jockey - Barry Geraghty
Not fulfilled the promise he showed as a juvenile last year, and was only good enough to play a pacemaking role to stable companion Buveur D'Air in the Champion Hurdle.
Was a sound fourth in the Scottish equivalent and has a shout if in same form, but lacks match fitness.
Trainer - Warren Greatrex
Jockey - Richard Johnson
Smart novice hurdler last season but opening mark already looks high enough.
Sixth here in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, and yet to see if that form is going to be as strong as Altior's Supreme two years earlier.
Wants rain.
Trainer - Evan Williams
Jockey - Adam Wedge
Improving 5yo who was won two big handicaps on his two starts this season, with Welsh Champion Hurdle latest beating a couple of today's rivals, and in good style.
Raised 6lb as a result but very well respected, and has a promising future if continuing good progress.
Will surely be in the frame for a place as a minimum.
Trainer - Nicky Richards
Jockey - Brian Hughes
Six consistent runs over a busy summer, where he did not finish outside the top three; including one win.
Latest run at Ascot in a Listed contest strongly suggests he is weighted to his best now.
Trainer - Sue Smith
Jockey - Danny Cook
Won the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on good ground back in April, but way more is required here off a 7lb higher mark.
Beaten favourite on return at Wetherby, although that was only a neck, and should come on for that run.
Trainer - Dr Richard Newland
Jockey - Sam Twiston-Davies
Career best form when winning at Ayr last time on good ground, but this does look harder off a 6lb higher mark.
Both jockey and trainer in bright form, and should go close.
Player.
Trainer - Peter Atkinson
Jockey - Henry Brooke
One of only two mares in the field (Verdana Blue), returned to the scene with a rather tame run at Wetherby at the beginning of the month - particularly when well fancied.
Peak form however would make her a true contender.
Trainer - Dr Richard Newland
Jockey - Charlie Hammond
Another for the trainer - Storm Rising has made significant improvement in two recent wins since joining this yard in the summer.
This looks much harder, but cannot be ruled out, having also been a previous course and distance winner.
Trainer - Dan Skelton
Jockey - Harry Skelton
Was third in the Fred Winter on the Wednesday at the Cheltenham Festival, and followed that up with a good run at Aintree a month later, before smashing into the last hurdle losing all chance.
Open to move improvement on that form, but may need this run to return to full fitness.
Trainer - Tom Lacey
Jockey - Tom Scudamore
Won last time at Wincanton, and now 4lb higher as a result.
However, now in the middle of a very competitive handicap and others have better crudentials.
Trainer - Venetia Williams
Jockey - Gavin Sheehan
This is a tough enough mark handicapping now, and again others are preferred.
Pulled up at Aintree when last season in the Mersey Novices Hurdle behind Black Op, but that was off the back of a long, hard and busy season.
Trainer - Jonjo O'Neill
Jockey - Aidan Coleman
Fourth to Storm Rising here last month, but way more required to be involved today.
Jockey, although a well ranked one, does not have a great record round here.
Possibly one to ignore.
Trainer - Tom Lacey
Jockey - Robert Dunne
Satisfactory return at Chepstow off this mark, but another who needs to produce much much more.
Best form is usually in the spring, so one for the notebook later in the season.
Trainer - Alan King
Jockey - Wayne Hutchinson
Handicapper has been fair on this lightly raced 5yo, and is still relatively unexposed.
Cannot be discounted after a first and second this season. One for the each way shortlist.
Trainer - Dan Skelton
Jockey - William Marshall
A winning novice, pitched into an altogether tougher race now back handicapping.
Second to the Tom George-trained Seddon at Stratford on the first of the month, who goes for the Supreme trial on Sunday as well, and will be amongst the market principals.
Not to be ignored.
Trainer - Brian Ellison
Jockey - Danny McMenamin
Ran a solid race back from a break on the flat last time out, but form towards the end of last season cannot be excused.
May be one to draw a line through, and others who are in contention have better profiles.
Young 7lb claimer aboard.
Trainer - Sophie Leech
Jockey - Sean Houlihan
This 9yo, at the foot of the weights, has something to find overall from out of the handicap here.
Two poor efforts recently, and lots to make up on better rivals.
