PADDOCKS PATENT (WEDNESDAY)

13:10 Fairyhouse Division I of this Handicap Hurdle is an intriguing race where we could see some improving sorts. Neddyvaughan is yet to get off the mark but has been knocking on the door of late without much success. He put in a career best when second by a length over course and distance when last seen and with 7lb claimer Ricky Doyle getting the leg up he could get his just rewards for his consistency. There would be a small question mark about him on this ground with that recent form being on quicker ground. The one that is of interest is also winless in his career to date. Logical Song is top weight in this race but Margaret Mullins charge ran very well for a long way on his return after a long absence over two miles. However, he should be suited by the step up in trip as the pick of his French form is over this trip plus the cut in the ground should help his cause. Coole Craft is likely to be better suited to the return to this trip after making his seasonal reappearance over three miles. Jonathan Fogarty’s inmate ran well here in January when beaten by Cerca Trova, who also won his next start. If running close to that level in this heat then he could go close. Logical Song (E/W if 9/2+)

14:25 Chepstow This 17-runner Handicap Chase is highly competitive with the market opening at around 11/2 for those at the head of the betting. On paper there could be a couple of lurkers in this field and one of them is Kilcullen Flem. Rebecca Curtis’ problems last season were well documented and that means she has some very well handicapped horses in her yard. This six year old could be one of them and he is still unexposed over the larger obstacles. He was tailed off on his only start over fences but with that fitness edge on some of his competitors he is a big player having previously won a point in Ireland. If today’s not his day there is plenty of time on his side to make a useful chaser. Another on that could be well treated is Financial Climate, who runs in a Class 4 contest for the first time since February 2015. That was over course and distance and it saw him win. He tends to be a sound jumper and off a mark of 117 could make his presence felt for Oliver Sherwood. Court Frontier stayed on well at Ffos Las 32-days ago to suggest the step up in trip could suit. This two-time Point-to-Point winner in Ireland probably would like more rain with the majority of his form on soft or heavy. Off a mark of 110 he could have more to offer with fitness on his side and if replicating that last run is likely to be in the shake up. Kilcullen Flem (E/W) 16:10 Kempton This all-weather handicap has been won in the last two years by Gary Moore and it is his charge that interests me here. Top Diktat is a course and distance winner and raced well here when fifth of 14 last month staying on late in the day. The handicapper has dropped him another pound in the weights and he is poised on a threatening mark. Hector Crouch takes another 3lb off and has had a couple of recent winners. The slight concern would be his style of racing and been drawn in stall 1 however if Miningrocks goes forward then he could get a nice tow into the race. Richard Guest’s Bollihope has won twice on the all-weather at Newcastle before running creditably when fifth of 14 here two starts ago. A spin on the turf at Nottingham when a narrow second in an Amateur Riders Handicap shows he’s still in good heart and can go close off this mark of 68. I’d worry that this could be a slowly run race and with him in stall 11 he could be in an unpromising position coming into the straight. Zoravan has his first start for Keith Dalgleish after moving from Dermot Weld. This son of More Than Ready showed little in three maidens at Dundalk over a mile but this extra two furlong trip could show him in a better light given his breeding. He’s a well related sort and should prove to be better than a 70 rated horse. Having been off for 355 days off this may be used as a pipe opener before a winter campaign on the all-weather but is one to keep an eye on. Top Diktat (E/W if 9/2+)