QTS Handicap Hurdle

Won over C&D in January on heavy ground from a mark of 122, though held from 3lb higher than today since then. Will need to improve to be up to winning this from this reduced mark.

Last win was in a Sandown handicap hurdle 17 months ago and despite not being able to add to that he remains 7lb higher today. Has shown some good form in defeat since then, but we have seen enough on today's mark to think that ending the drought looks tricky today.

Perhaps not quite as good as the handicapper's first assessment of his abilities, but did win a Huntingdon maiden hurdle a couple of starts ago (2m, soft). Held in novices' company under a penalty last time and assessor has dropped him 6lb for this handicap debut. Yard in form and he should be very competitive.

Won a Kelso novices' contest last spring (good to firm) and made his first positive contribution to handicapping when not beaten far at Newcastle last time from today's mark. No reason why he can't be competitive again.

3lb higher today than when winning at Cartmel (good) in August. Has not really been particularly competitive since then and likely to find at least a couple too good.

Without a win since September 2015 when scoring for the only time over hurdles in a Hexham maiden. Dropped 1lb since a decent effort at Musselburgh in February and visor may sharpen him up, but percentage call is to take him on again.

Not managed to win since 2013 and has not yet been competitive in 10 starts for this yard since moving from Paul Nicholls. Very hard to recommend.

Won at both Sedgefield and Fakenham in the latter part of 2016. 9lb higher today, but was very competitive from this mark at Wetherby last time and should go very well.