PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

12:35 Wincanton For my first selection today we head to Wincanton for their opener, a handicap chase run over a trip of two miles. My selection in this is Fuse Wire who I put forward when he ran last time out, but could only manage to finish second. That run came over hurdles but I think he looks much more suited to the larger obstacles. While the gelding is still a maiden after sixteen career starts, I think he has probably found his level now and his last two runs would leave you with the encouragement that a win is not too far away. As long as he puts in a clear round the bay is sure to have a say in proceedings here, Heading the betting is Sportsreport who arrives here on the back of an emphatic win at Lingfield nine days ago. While he may follow up again here, the ground is going to be much quicker. The gelding also has a seven pound penalty to contend with here and I think that this possibly has him handicapped right up to his best. There may be more improvement to come but there is going to have to be to trouble one or two of these. One that could possibly be a small bit overpriced here is top weight Jackthejourneyman trained by Tom Gretton. The son of Beneficial has not shown a great deal but has one or two bits of form to suggest he can be competitive off his current mark. Probably not one that you could put forward confidently but he may be capable of running a decent race here. Fuse Wire (WIN)

13:00 Leicester For my second selection today we go to Leicester for a two mile novice hurdle. The likely favourite here is the David Pipe trained Taj Badalandabad who is the only penalized runner in the lineup. While there is probably more improvement to come from the four year old, he may be vulnerable under a penalty here. With that in mind I would look towards one of the others in the lineup. I think the one that the Pipe runner will struggle most to concede weight to is the Evan Williams trained Wild Bill. The €90,000 purchase shaped with a lot of promise on debut when looking very much in need of the run. With that run under his belt the son of Westerner should be stripping much fitter. With a clear round he is sure to have a say in the finish. The each way value in the race could be the Mark Usher trained Spice Fair who also had an encouraging debut. He may have won only for a terrible mistake at the last and he also had the well thought of Miles to Memphis in behind in third. With a clear round he is sure to be involved and is not without a chance of winning this. Wild Bill (WIN)

14:25 Market Rasen For my final selection today we switch to Market Rasen for a two mile five handicap hurdle. The one that I like in this is market leader Shear Rock trained by Charlie Longsdon. While the gelding did not show a great deal in his opening two hurdle starts, his last two runs were much better. a mark of 108 look lenient enough too as I think he may be value for at least twelve pounds more on the best of his form. As long as he jumps well, he is sure to have a say in proceedings. The selection has most to fear from the Jonjo O Neill trained Vaihau who’s opening two runs this season were a bit disappointing. The biggest worry with him is that the yard just seem to be badly out of form at the moment. With that in mind it would not be a surprise to see him under perform here again. Of the remainder Raktiman appeals most while Dardanella also arrives here in good form. Shear Rock (WIN)