Spotlight: Saw off All Ways Glamorous to land this race on good to soft 12 months ago; smart handicap performance when a clearcut winner at Windsor (6f, good to firm) in June; hasn't fully confirmed that improvement in strong races since but he shaped quite well (briefly not clear run) when keeping-on fifth of 21 in the recent Portland at Doncaster (5.5f, good); can make a bold bid to defend his crown.

Spotlight: Three more wins this year (including C&D on soft) and last Saturday's sixth of 23 in the Silver Cup at Ayr was another creditable effort (second of 12 in his group); the fact he's finished in the first three (including four wins) on eight of his ten visits to Haydock makes him a must for the shortlist.

Spotlight: Progressive for this trainer, notching his fourth win of 2026 when seeing off 15 rivals at Doncaster (5f, good) under Callum Rodriguez 13 days ago; likely to give it another good shot.

Spotlight: Dual 6f winner in 2025; took a step back in the right direction when third of 12 to the reopposing Rhythm N Hooves at Newbury (5f, good to firm) six weeks ago; his ability to handle going softer than good has to be taken on trust but his stable is in really good form.

Spotlight: Four 5f handicap wins as 2yo, three on turf (good and good to firm); creditable efforts in defeat of late, including third (Trilby neck ahead in second) over C&D (soft) three weeks ago; ought to be competitive off the same mark.

Spotlight: Chased home King Of Light in this on good to soft last year; better than ever when making all at Ffos Las and Ascot (5f, good and good to firm) in midsummer but subsequent fourths suggest the handicapper may have him right for now.

Spotlight: He has run some solid races in sprint handicaps this season but well beaten tackling soft ground for the first time at Goodwood four weeks ago; others are preferred.

Spotlight: Capitalised on a good mark at Newbury (5f, good to firm; Hucklesbrook third) in August and racing wide of the main group may not have helped when only eighth at Ascot since.

Spotlight: He'd been struggling this season but staged a revival in a first-time tongue-tie to win over C&D (heavy) at the beginning of the month; failed to back in up in last Friday's Bronze Cup at Ayr but the fact he's 3lb lower here can only help.

Spotlight: Her second of 17 at the York Dante meeting (5f, good) on reappearance in May is strong form but inferior efforts have followed; non-runner because of unsuitable ground on good to soft at Hamilton on latest intended outing.

Spotlight: Won a big-field sales race at Newmarket for Oliver Cole last October; the handicapper has been in command this year and his two runs for this yard haven't suggested that a return to form is imminent; King Of Light looks the stable's main hope unless the betting strongly hints otherwise.

Spotlight: Had a bumper time of things last year but hasn't come close to the same level in 2026; well handicapped (despite being 2lb out of weights) but leap of faith needed.