Spotlight: Travelled best throughout when winning last year's County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and was third in this year's renewal off an 8lb higher mark (few of these behind), having previously finished fifth in the Melbourne Cup; nudged up another 2lb but should cope with this tight track; Harry Cobden won last week's Scottish National for the yard; major player; often held up.

Spotlight: 13lb lower when winning this 12 months ago and faces stronger opposition this time; however, he ran well from the front (as is his way) to be sixth in the County Hurdle and his running style is better suited to this sharper track; unlikely to get an easy lead but can see him hanging around to be competitive.

Spotlight: Only 1lb above his last winning mark but hasn't truly threatened this season and no better for cheekpieces the last twice, in the County Hurdle and then over 2m4f at Aintree; he wouldn't be the obvious answer here.

Spotlight: One of four for title-chasing Willie Mullins; his overall profile is hit and miss and, with this tight track in mind, it's worrying that he lost his position in the County Hurdle before running on into ninth; dropped a measly 1lb for that.

Spotlight: Pulled up in this 12 months ago on his sole previous visit to Plumpton (the only time he's worn cheekpieces); confined to only three runs in the meantime and wasn't beaten at all far off this mark in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, where it's never easy to make all; considered for title-chasing yard.

Spotlight: Beating the top-class novice Romeo Coolio in a 2m Grade 2 in December (yielding) scuppered his handicap mark and he's struggled since, latterly when 50-1 for the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last month.

Spotlight: Usually held up; has won two of his four starts for Robert Walford but came up shy off this career-high mark at Taunton (2m, good to soft) and this is tougher again.

Spotlight: Smart novice who missed all of last season but looks better than ever judged on her comprehensive defeat of a well-backed novice in a deep handicap at Aintree (2m, good); reliant on a good pace at this trip (stays 3m) and she should get one here; 9lb higher than last time with Tristan Durrell again claiming 3lb.

Spotlight: Has got himself well handicapped again and he was always prominent when fifth in the County Hurdle; stays further than this so expect another forward ride and, with blinkers replacing cheekpieces worn for his last three races, he could have a part to play.

Spotlight: Knows what these competitive handicaps are all about and had appeared to turn a corner with big runs at Musselburgh and Sandown only to then have a shocker at Aintree when reportedly never travelling; however, the first-time tongue-tie that joined his regular cheekpieces last time is now removed and that could be significant; possibilities despite being 2lb wrong.

Spotlight: Former top-notcher who has understandably lost some of his old zip at the age of ten, but didn't run too badly in a Grade 3 last time and cheekpieces are fitted for his first handicap of any description; can't be ruled out.