Cheltenham 4-10 Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 17f
HACKER DES PLACES (nap) rates the best and most consistent clocker in this 16-runner handicap hurdle, and could make it three wins from his last five starts today if stepping forward on his fast-time second at Ascot on his return in October (form solid).
Everything looks to be in place for another big run too, as the gelding has ticks in the important boxes marked track type (stiff/galloping), trip and ground.
Generally available at 9-2 on the early bird list, those odds or bigger should be taken.
Cheltenham 3-35 Novices Hurdle (Class 1) 20f
PEMBROKE followed up his win at Wetherby in November with an even more emphatic victory at Ludlow the following month, and in the process managed to generate a list-dominant speed rating of 113. The form of his most recent race has been franked since too, with the third horse home running two points faster when scoring at Huntingdon next time out. Up significantly in class today, it shouldn't be enough to stop this progressive gelding from making it a hat-trick of straight wins, especially as this extra half-mile should be right up his street.
Doncaster 2-40 Novices Hurdle (Class 1) 24f
GRAND SOIR (nb) posted a career-best speed rating of 104 when staying on from the rear to score at Thurles last month, and should find today's galloping track and predicted strong pace working very much in his favour. Indeed, this progressive gelding has won his last three starts over hurdles, stays every yard of three miles, and won't mind if the Doncaster track continues to dry out between now and post time. A 9-2 shot with several firms at the time of writing, I'm definitely a player and not a watcher at those kind of odds.
Fairyhouse 3-21 Maiden Hurdle 20f
EL CAPITAINE rates well clear on the clock for this 15-runner maiden hurdle, courtesy of his fifth to Deep Cave over this trip at Leopardstown four weeks ago. Twice raced over hurdles, the gelding has scope for further improvement this afternoon, which could enable him to get off the mark at the third time of asking. Granted, his pencilled in odds of 3-1 look a little on the short side for a runner whose will to win and consistency have yet to be proven, which is why I'll be looking to get odds of at least 7-2 for my money.
Lingfield 1-08 Handicap (Class 5) 7f
STATES OF THUNDER is still a maiden after seven career outings on the all-weather, but did post a top figure of 67 when finishing third to solid yardstick Pocket The Packet over this track and trip a fortnight ago. The application of first-time cheekpieces probably encouraged the gelding to a best ever clocking on that occasion, and it is hoped that their retention today will help him go even faster. Pencilled in odds of 7-1 are another reason to look to get involved.
Uttoxeter 1-27 Maiden Hurdle (Class 4) 16f
RAMBO T chased home an in-form Givega at Fontwell last month, and in the process managed to generate a top figure of 85. Twice raced over timber, the gelding is likely to have more to give this afternoon, which in turn should make him very hard to beat.