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13.50 Wincanton A competitive looking handicap hurdle on paper and it sees two juggernaut yards going head to head with some of their latest hurdling prospects. The Paul Nicholls team line up with their four-year-old, San Benedeto, who has already been successful twice over hurdles from just five starts. The last of those came on his seasonal debut this term, but he came unstuck in Listed company when third to the very smart Maputo. In hindsight, there was no shame in that defeat and he could really benefit from that recent run here that will give him a fitness edge over his main rival. The physical edge coupled with a course success to its name last season means he is the confident selection with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle. The aforementioned main rival comes from the rival Alan King yard who line up the unexposed Miles to Memphis. The six-year-old added to two bumper wins by landing the spoils on his hurdling debut, but he has since come unstuck in his next two outings including when turned over as a long odds-on shot at Leicester. There is a chance this opening handicap mark could be lenient for a yard that know the time of day in this sphere, but he has a long absence of 342 days off the track to overcome and the Nicholls’ charge may just prove more battle ready. One final horse to note is the Harry Fry representative Shuil Royale, who has won three out of his four starts since joining the yard. He was last seen back in June when storming clear to win the Summer Cup over fences at Uttoxeter by some five lengths and it is an interesting call to bring him back over hurdles for the first time since 2012, but he may just find one or two that are too quick for him. San Benedeto (WIN)
14:50 Lingfield This is a really hot looking sprint handicap where there is not an awful lot between a lot of the runners on paper. The answer may lie with Charlie Hills runner Silver Rainbow who comes here with the most interesting line of form on offer. He was a credible fourth to the impressive sprinter The Tin Man at Ascot on his last outing and despite being beaten seven lengths, he was coming off the back of a break and he may just strip fitter for that run. The horse does have a bit to find on official figures, but If he can kick on from run then Jim Crowley’s mount may just be poised to pounce here off a very attractive mark. He looks the one to be on the right side of here with the benefit of an each way price and in a race that will not take much winning. One horse who could be a real danger to the selection is the progressive Dean Ivory gelding Varsovian. The horse comes here off the back of a respectable fourth at Chelmsford three weeks ago and that run may just have blown some cobwebs away after a break so he should be ready to go for this. He landed three out of his last four starts and with a nice draw here, he may well defy this mark today and add to his previous three course and distance successes. But the only slight worry is he has never before defied this seven pound higher mark. The other obvious danger to the selection is the David Griffiths charge Brother Tiger who has a course and distance victory to his name and he also won over 5f at the track off a 5lbs lower mark back in march. He performed with credit on his latest outing at Chelmsford when fourth from a wide draw, but he once again has a wide berth here today and he may have to concede first run to his rivals. Silver Rainbow (E/W)
16.55 Chelmsford It is not often that such a nursery race at Chelmsford would contain runners from the likes of Sir Mark Prescott and Mark Johnston, but today is such a time. Sun’aq representing the Prescott yard looks to be the standout pick in this contest given that he is now only 3lbs higher than when winning a nursery at Ffos las earlier in the season. The two-year-old filly has been a bit of a disappointment since then and now the trainer steps her back to the minimum trip for the first time. Last seen contesting a Group Three in Ireland and all he bombed that day, any concerns can be allayed by the partnership of champion all weather jockey Luke Morris in the saddle as well a more suitable race that looks a much easier task for her to resume winning ways given that she is still so lightly raced. The main danger will likely come from the Scott Dixon charge Misu Moneypenny. Two victories from five starts in her short career already including one over course and distance back in September sees the two-year-old arrive here in fine fettle. Her record on the surface is a major plus, but her victory at the track was off 4lbs lower for a short head margin of victory. She was held last time out back on turf and so is entitled to run better back on the all weather, but she may have too much to find with the selection. Another danger comes from the aforementioned Johnston yard who are represented by Fashionable Spirit and if he adopts the stables renowned front running style at this track which is made and setup for those tactics then she might be difficult to catch if given too much rope up front. But the highly tried maiden has not exactly set the hay on fire so far in her career and would need to be a rejuvenated figure here to feature. Sun’Aq (WIN)