PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

15:35 Beverley Another card where the action is mighty competitive is over at Beverley, but once again it is another runner who caught the eye last time out. Mrs Biggs put up a gallant effort in defeat at Catterick to the re-opposing Totally Magic, but the latter is up 3lbs for that and the Declan Carroll horse looks primed to reverse the form with handy seven pound claimer Phil Dennis also tasked for the ride. That revised allowance couple with three placed efforts previously in handicaps, including over Course and Distance, means there is some serious value in its double figure price. The main dangers include the hat-trick seeking Pyla of the Ed Dunlop yard. This horse has just done enough the last twice to win narrowly close home and it will be interesting to see if the addition of another 3lbs will be enough to halt its winning run with Graham Lee in the saddle once more. Cabal is another who should be competitive at the business end of this. The Geoff Harker 8-year-old ran a cracker when third over the extended mile at Beverley two runs back before a convincing success back at his beloved Wolverhampton last time, but the 6lb penalty for that win may quell any hope of back to back wins so he may have to settle for a place. Mrs Biggs gets the confident each way nod to get the better of the favourite close home. Mrs Biggs (E/W)

16:00 Bangor The 2m4f Handicap chase looks the perfect opportunity for Richard Hobson’s impressive last time out winner Valadom to follow up. The horse went up 7lb for an easy win at Worcester last Friday on only his second run on British soil following a patchy stint in France. That win build upon the promise of his debut run where he was second and being a previous winning chaser in France, the horse looks to have a great chance of taking another step forward here with Jockey Jack Sherwood’s 5lb claim negating most of the penalty for that Worcester win. The danger comes from another horse bang in form in Faustina Pius who comes here seeking the hat-trick following back-to-back successes at Stratford, but the Matt Sheppard horse has not only shot up the weights for those wins, but this also represents a significant rise in class so he may have to settle for the minor honours. One final danger is the Dan Skelton runner Open Hearted. The horse was a disappointment for the Nicky Henderson yard, but is still lightly tried over fences and may just be on a good mark if the former Paul Nicholls assistant trainer can work the oracle once again. But Valadom looks the more solid option here and the big grey can once again enhance its reputation here. Valadom (WIN)

19:15 Chelmsford On the face of it, this looks a very tricky six furlong handicap for two-year-olds, but the booking of the champion jockey elect on the Mick Channon representative SOPHISTICA looks to be significant. Sylvester De Sousa partnered the horse eight days ago for what was the best run of its career to date when fourth in a large field at Redcar. The horse finished its race well and was the real eye catcher to take away from the race and this looks a perfect opportunity to shed the maiden tag whilst adding another winner towards the jockey’s title for the Brazilian in the saddle. The main dangers will undoubtedly come from the two market principles in Kenstone and Fable of Arachne. The latter won his race well over course and distance three runs back, and will be suited to the return to the same level and track, but he is now five pounds higher for his troubles. The David Dennis runner Kenstone was no match for the eventual winner when second at Kempton last time out, but showed up well off an enterprising run and so a repeat of that will see him bang there. That being said, Sophistica gets the nod as the value each way pick and if it comes down to a close drive to the line there is simply no one better in the saddle than SDS. Sophistica (E/W)