In good hands and has got his act together over hurdles in recent starts, following up Market Rasen success in decisive fashion at Bangor (2½m) last time. The winner has franked that form since, though likely requires another career best to make it a hat-trick.

Veteran C&D winner who has finished down the field at Cartmel/Stratford since his reappearance third here in June. May fare better away from those speed-favouring tracks, for all it's still hard to be confident he can capitalise on a tumbling mark.

Strong in the betting all 5 runs for current yard this season. Ran up to his best when 3¾-length third behind a less-exposed pair in Downpatrick maiden latest (2¾m). Shrewd Irish yard has had only one previous Hexham runner (3rd in 2022/23). Has to be on the shortlist with Sean Bowen booked.

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who placed in all 3 bumper starts this time last year. Claimed out of Twiston-Davies stable having been turned over in a Ludlow claimer second time up over hurdles in December. Improvement needed on handicap/stable debut.

Four-time course winner. Fallen long way in the weights since his most recent (and fortunate) success in a small-field C&D event last June. Ran creditably with usual headgear refitted when 8¼-length fifth at Perth (3m) latest. Lurking on a potentially dangerous mark on return from 13 weeks away.

Dictated/resumed progress to get off the mark in a change of headgear at Market Rasen in April. That form didn't work out, and he shaped as though he'd had enough for the season at the same track the following month. Something to find at the weights on return.

Improved for headgear/switch to handicaps when landing back-to-back 3m handicaps at Kempton/Plumpton in good style. Run of good form came to a halt on hat-trick bid at Wincanton in December. Hardly a positive he was sold for only £10,000 out of Nicky Henderson's yard given his profile, though.

Veteran/course regular who finished runner-up 3 times here earlier in the year, nearly snapping a long losing run (2m) in early-June. Should find this a more suitable test than at Cartmel last time, however, he isn't one to be making too many excuses for (has been reluctant to start).

Underlined a positive start over hurdles when runner-up in C&D maiden last November. Hasn't gone on as expected in handicaps, well held in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) here in April. Now 7 lb lower than his opening mark, for yard who've fired in a couple of reappearance winners of late.