BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Four-timer as a novice last season culminated in 2m4f Grade 1 at Naas, which he followed with second over 2m5f at this meeting (gave The New Lion plenty to think about); took a heavy fall at Punchestown in May, beaten at 8-15 in November (fair second) and failed to shine in Grade 1 at Christmas (notwithstanding the near 3m trip) so he's on a recovery mission, but last season can't be forgotten yet; cheekpieces go on for this handicap debut.

Fifth in two editions of the County Hurdle here before his second and third in the last two runnings of this race, which is quite something; has a 1lb higher mark than last year; well held in his only hurdle race this term but placed in Flat maidens either side, and has to be in place calculations.

Lightly raced 6yo who was Triumph favourite here two years ago, below form in fifth; ran well in all other starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 second earlier as juvenile, second of 18 in a big 2m handicap last February (made up a lot of ground) and wins on both runs this term; his only attempt at 2m4f was a stylish win on penultimate outing and his runs over shorter give stacks of encouragement for this sort of trip; the ground won't be so testing but he surely has bright prospects back up in trip in only his second handicap.

Fourth in this in 2024 and last season's two Grade 2 wins included one at this track, before 3m experiment in Grade 1 Stayers' did not work out; chasing on first two starts this term before a respectable third to bright hope in Grade 2 hurdle here; Nicky Henderson's hurdlers so often run well in the Festival handicaps (one under Brian Hughes won the Pertemps Final last year) and it will be no shock if this one is on the premises.

Third in the 2m4f Martin Pipe at this meeting in 2023; creditable fifth in last year's Grade 1 Stayers' here but he's not really sparked since, including over fences; 6lb lower now than his peak British mark; equipped with cheekpieces on latest outing (stiff task) and today.