PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

15:30 Warwick

Oliver Sherwood look to have a smart novice hurdler on his hands here with Surtee Du Berlais who he looks like the value pick for this Mares race at Warwick.

The six-year-old left its modest bumper form well behind when posting two comfortable hurdle victories either side of a 202 day break. The winning streak ended last time out when bumping into a very smart looking Willie Mullins horse called Myska, but that defeat only enhance his growing reputation because of the way he kept on to grab third. The experience of that Listed contest will have stood him in great stead dropping back down to this type of level and it is by far the best form on offer here so he gets the nod.

The obvious main danger comes from the unexposed Alan King representative Mia’s Storm. The six-year-old chased home an impressive winner from the W Greatex yard last time out and looked to be caught out for a turn of foot that day. He shaped as though he will likely come on for that run and there is no doubting his potential over fences in receipt of so much weight from the selection, but he might just be more suited to the test over the larger obstacles in the future. At such a short price, he is worth taking on here.

The final danger will likely come from the Venetia Williams french import Buttercup. The horse makes its British debut today and has some smart form to bring to these shores from its native France including a respectable runners up berth in its last run. It is the type of horse the yard does well with and he will be winning races in the future, but he may have to settle for minor placings today.

Surtee Du Berlais (WIN)

17:30 Chelmsford

The key to this 1m5f lies with two runners who both have strong course and distance form. Dean Ivory’s runner San Quentin is preferred having produced an impressive career-best performance here last time out in a nine-runner handicap. That win built on a previous win to make it four wins out his last six races. The margins and manner of both victories suggest this progressive gelding has plenty left in the tank and will take all the beating here he steps back up in grade.

The other horse with potent course and distance form is Aumerle from the S Lycett yard. The horse made an impressive debut for his new stable in a five runner handicap here last time out, and now goes for the hat-trick over course and distance off just a 4lb rise, but the latest of those wins was in a weaker contest for this level and he may need to settle for the runner up spot.

Another horse who can give a good account in this field is Stuart Williams Daisy Boy. The 5-year-old would be the most likely one to pounce here should the top two principles fail to fire based on his previous two placed efforts and the yard in decent form currently.

San Quentin (WIN)

19:40 Chelmsford

A competitive maiden auction stakes with some powerhouse stables represented and one such yard looks to hold the best chance of landing the spoils here.

The Mark Johnston yard line up their twice-raced colt Byres Road. The horse was eased when beaten last time out by a smart looking Richard Hannon three-year-old Telegramm. The horse was too aggressively ridden that day and wasn’t seen in the best light having previously shaped like a future winner on debut at Wolverhampton. The stable’s juvenile tend to get better with each run and he is the definite standard bearer here so gets the nod.

One danger will come from the Mick Channon runner Blacklister. The gelding is one of the most experienced runners in the field and posted his best effort to date last time out when second of nine runners at Lingfield five days ago. He should be bang there at the finish with the stable turning him out again so quickly, but he may have to settle for second spot once again.

Another to keep an eye on the field in David Simcock’s debutant West Coast Flyer. A colt out of Cape Cross, the three year is related to a number of winners over this sort of trip and the dam was also a decent miler in her day. It would be no surprise to see him run well here, but the stable’s newcomers tend to come on for a run and he may struggle to match the selection.

Byres Road (WIN)