Soundly beaten (11th) in this shoe-fitting over 2850m on 4 December at this venue. Best watched for now

Lost his way last year and isn't likely to trouble the judge on the evidence of recent displays. Soundly beaten (11th) in a Quinte+ event over track and trip on 25 December

Complicated trotter, seldom far from a fault although usually acquits himself competitively when applied/remaining wise - confirmed as much by finishing 2nd in a Quinte+ over track and trip on 25 December. Confirmation required

Consistent Scandinavian trotter confirmed under these conditions/in this configuration with sound form references, including a last-start 3rd in a course-and-distance Quinte+ event on 25 December. Not taken lightly

Complicated trotter with sound references, though seldom far from a fault. Didn't go unnoticed when finishing 8th in a 2850m harness event on 22 November - dark horse

Last-start winner (shod) over 2140m at Romme on 16 December. Not taken lightly in his first start on French soil with all 4 shoes removed

Sparked improvement when finishing 4th over 2600m at Wolvega on 20 December. More needed but it's encouraging that his shoes are removed

Back to his best recently, winning consecutive Vincennes appearances under these/similar conditions - the latest in a course-and-distance Quinte+ event on 25 December. The hat-trick beckons

Honest hard-knocker who finished 2nd on this course over 2850m last month. Shouldn't be hastily condemned for a disappointing recent performance (8th) over track and trip on 29 December, especially with Mathieu Mottier engaged

Returned to form with a reassuring 2nd in this shoe-fitting on 29 December in a similar course-and-distance event. Candidate for success

Consistent hard-knocker who won a course-and-distance race in late October. Shouldn't be hastily condemned for a disappointing recent performance (7th) over track and trip on 8 December - has the means to set the record straight

Consistent Scandinavian trotter confirmed under these conditions and in this unshod configuration with references at a higher level. Respected on French soil with trainer Robert Bergh enlisting the services of Eric Raffin - keep safe

Consistent performer with sound references but seldom far from a fault - usually acquits himself competitively when applied/remaining wise. Shouldn't be hastily condemned for his recent disqualification here (2700m) on 8 December

Versatile trotter with undeniable means but out of sorts at present - disqualified twice and unplaced twice in his last 4 appearances. Finished 9th (shod) over 3000m at Nantes on 6 November - capable of better with his shoes removed

Consistent hard-knocker with sound references/form credentials, albeit at a slightly lower level - finished a good 2nd over 2850m at Lyon-Parilly in this shoeing configuration on 16 November. For lovers of outsiders