Newcastle 16:35 Odds Comparison

Has taken well to fences this season, finishing runner-up around 2½m on his last 4 starts (including here). Won't need to pull out much more for the longer trip.

Finally got off the mark under Rules in a 2½m course handicap (good to soft) 11 days ago. Stays 3m. Should remain very competitive off 3 lb higher.

Shaped well when second over 3m at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but ran poorly back at the Lincolnshire venue last month. Has a first-time tongue tie added to his cheekpieces now.

Bumper winner on debut but has looked a weak finisher in 16 winless attempts over hurdles/fences, failing to justify market support after a breathing operation when fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Ayr 32 days ago. Finished tired there and others make more appeal.

Tends to race lazily but it's hard to knock his strike-rate since joining Sandy Thomson, including 19f Wetherby reappearance win on soft in December. Respectable fourth over 2½m here (good to soft) since. Considered.

Failed to trouble the judged in 4 hurdles but this point winner proved a different proposition switched to fences when seeing off 6 rivals over C&D last March. Looked open to progress but hasn't been seen since. The betting should guide as to whether she's likely to be fully primed after a lay-off.

Maiden hurdler who hasn't offered much obvious encouragement in 3 handicaps since switched to fences. A first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces) needs to have a positive effect.

C&D winner in 2023 but didn't really show anything again until winning a small-field Sedgefield handicap last month. Knuckled down well but his record suggests he's far from sure to turn up in the same form this afternoon.

Back-to-back wins last spring (including this race) but he's failed to make a significant impact since finishing second at Hexham last summer.

Veteran who capitalised on a reduced mark when springing a surprise at Hexham in November but not the biggest surprise he's failed to get close to that form in 3 outings since.

Poor maiden hurdler in Ireland. Did win a point over there last winter but has failed to complete in 3 handicap chases since joining Micky Hammond. Can only be watched.