Racing: Solid evidence puts case for Advocat

The former top jump jockey Steve Smith Eccles analyses today's Ladbroke Hurdle

Polar Prospect: No horse has carried more than 11st 8lb to win this race so he faces a huge task off 11st 12lb.

Archive Footage: No worthwhile form this season.

Advocat: Solid form behind Blowing Wind at Cheltenham and Bellator at Aintree.

Generosa: Drop back to two miles will not suit this stayer.

Shantarini: Second to the mighty Istabraq last time but the form looks flattering.

Black Queen: Beaten by several of today's rivals and unlikely to reverse the form.

Gazalani: No possible chance on current form.

New Inn: First runner in Ireland for Steve Gollings but this will be no fairy tale.

Fishin Joella: Placed at two and a half miles on last two runs but may be outpaced.

Sadler's Realm: Second-string for Philip Hobbs. Looks up against it.

Arctic Weather: Past it at the age of 10.

Impulsive Dream: Subject of an ante-post gamble, he beat Advocat at Leopardstown last March and money talks.

Khairabar: No worthwhile form in past four runs.

Sawa-Id: Game little horse with too much on his plate.

Palette: Soundly beaten by Advocat last time and little chance of reversing form.

Gan-Saru: Won at Punchestown last time and has each-way claims.

Daraheen Chief: Outsider who will do well to figure.

Regency Rake: Could lack fitness after a six-month break.

Mykon Gold: Backed from 25-1 to 16-1 this week and could get into the frame.

Penny Native: Has no worthwhile recent form.

Slaney Native: Relishes soft ground and should go well.

Its Time For A Win: Will not do as his name suggests.

No Avail: Appropriately named.

Vivo: With Charlie Swan on board, he has to be respected, but looks out of his class.

Kamactay: On a hat-trick but will struggle to lower the colours of some better rivals.

Conclusion: ADVOCAT has rock-solid credentials and should not be inconvenienced by the heavy ground. Impulsive Dream commands respect after ante-post support, while the lightweights Mykon Gold and Slaney Native could fight for the minor placings.