Trainer - Jedd O'Keeffe
Jockey - Joe Colliver
One of the fairytales stories of last season, for all of horse, jockey and rider.
Sent off the favourite in the Stayers at Cheltenham, he faded into a fine fifth in the end, and followed that up with a third-placed finish at Aintree, allbeit ten lengths behind Wholestone, and looked tired.
Needs to rediscover his best form after a lengthy break, but this is the time of year he proves strongest.
Big player.
Trainer - Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey - Daryl Jacob
Another top distance hurdler from last season, who was third in the Staying feature at Cheltenham behind Penhill.
Had a number of placed efforts as well, and was rewarded on his return to the scene at Aintree last time out.
Looks to build on that, and will be a serious contender for this Grade 2 prize.
Trainer - Evan Williams
Jockey - Adam Wedge
Ran a career best when third over much shorter than this in the Aintree Hurdle when last seen.
Returns to the track amid some top hurdlers of their generation, and will probably need the run to boost both fitness and sharpness.
Probably one to watch.
Trainer - Kerry Lee
Jockey - Jamie Moore
Won two on the bounce, after winning hurdle contests in both a Class 3 and a Class 2 at Fontwell and Kelso respectively.
Now needs to go one better and step up to the top division, which does look unlikely.
In good form, but might reach the end of his tether here.
Trainer - Jamie Snowden
Jockey - Page Fuller
Three runs already this season, scoring in two at Haydock and Wetherby.
Was a beaten favourite in the bet365 Hurdle last time, and began to tail off in the final furlong.
Needs to produce more again here in a similar looking contest.
Trainer - Nick Gifford
Jockey - Leighton Aspell
Just the one run over fences - which resulted in an unseat, was enough for Nick Gifford to decide that his 6yo will be sticking to flying over timber.
His decision was consolidated when The Mighty Don just held on in a Pertemps Qualifying Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
Further step-up in trip is a worry.
Trainer - Harry Fry
Jockey - Barry Geraghty
Unowhatimeanharry just continues to give his all at the grand old age of 10, and he returns to the scene at the place where he landed this very contest two years ago.
To put things in perspective, three or four of the horses in that race have been long since retired, but Harry - also a Cheltenham Festival winner keeps on battling on, and actually has a strong chance of landing this again.
A weak run here however, and who knows where he will end up.
Has a few lengths to make up on Wholestone.
Trainer - Harry Fry
Jockey - Noel Fehily
Harry Fry also trains the one and only mare in the race, who is at the foot of the weights.
She was last seen finishing a good third to Black Op in the Mersey Novices Hurdle, and enjoyed much success last campaign resulting in three wins.
Very lightly raced, and is definitely one for the shortlist.
