Spotlight: 2-2 in France last year (6.5f/1m, soft/very soft); slow to find his feet for this yard but there were clear signs he might be discovering his level when dropped to 6f and beaten 3l at Ascot (good to firm) three weeks ago; maybe the combination of 6f and soft ground will prove his sweet spot; interesting.

Spotlight: Second on debut over C&D (heavy) last November and it was his first handicap success when making most in six-runner event at Windsor (6f, soft) in August; would have gone close with a clear path at Haydock (heavy) four weeks ago and he's a leading candidate from the same mark.

Spotlight: Scored on his first two starts for this yard in the summer (6f, good to firm) and he's continued to perform with credit, including when fifth of 24 in the Bronze Cup at Ayr (soft) last month; close third in new cheekpieces (retained) off this mark 18 days ago and should go well again; declared 8:30 at Southwell last night.

Spotlight: Formerly very useful sprinter but he's been on the slide for a while now; handicapper continues to assist, however, and this gelding gave it a fair go when third of 14 at Haydock (6f, heavy) seven weeks ago; market support would boost his claims on this first start since.

Spotlight: Won three times as a juvenile (including 6f on good to soft) and a solid third in the nursery on this card last year; can be excused penultimate start but was beaten 22l over 5f on soft a fortnight ago; reduced mark.

Spotlight: Multiple winner who landed his first success of the year when beating 20 others at York (5.5f) last month; solid fourth under a penalty in another big field at Ayr (5f, also good to soft) 11 days later; stays 6f and has claims from the same mark as last time, albeit probably not wanting the ground to deteriorate.

Spotlight: Six seconds but has just a 5f Irish maiden win to his name; hasn't seriously threatened since coming back in July from wind surgery (his second) but he used to act on a slow surface and races from a career-low mark.

Spotlight: A 7f race here features among his nine wins and he made all at Redcar (6f, good to firm) in July; acts on soft but below that Redcar form on his last two starts and weakened quickly over C&D last time; bit to prove for now.

Spotlight: Formerly useful sprinter who has been on the retreat this year; after two very moderate efforts he took a step back in the right direction over 7f last time, however, and will have no problem with the forecast conditions; dangerously handicapped if he can build on that.

Spotlight: His improvement across three qualifying runs culminated in winning from three others at Leicester (6f, good; first-time hood) in June; back from a break when making an inauspicious handicap debut on soft ground at Salisbury (last of 14) three weeks ago, however; tongue-tie added and it's still early days.

Spotlight: He peaked when beating the 16 others in 5f 'Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe' handicap at York (good to firm; stays further) in July but has gone off the boil and has a soft-ground query too; mark fine but others hold greater interest.