Before we have a look at today's' cards a couple of observations from Saturday's meetings at Doncaster and Cheltenham.
Value At Risk was beaten in the Neptune Trial over 2m 5f but would have scored, given the way he rallied after the last, had his rider made it a truer test of stamina over the trip and he looks worth an each way interest at 14/1 for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
I would also recommend taking an each way interest at 10/1 on the Cotswold Chase winner Many Clouds with BetVictor as I feel he is improving with every run, jumps well acts around Cheltenham and battles. He is unproven on good or faster ground but a double-figure price looks too big and he will go straight to the Festival.
Ludlow's feature is the 3m Handicap Chase and Henry Daly's Hard To Swallow (2.50) returns after a ten-week absence having fallen at Bangor when last seen back in November. The yard like to have winners at their local track and he can reward each way support in a hot little race.
I am keen to see Until Winning (3.50) back at the minimum trip having travelled well at Sandown last time. Paddy Brennan looks sure to make it a decent test and he has been dropped 6lbs for that effort. It should be noted that he went off a well-backed 10/3f for that contest and from a 6lbs lower mark I think he will go very close.
Having followed Sublime Talent over a cliff earlier on in the season I am pleased to see he has been given a three-month break. A market move would be well worth noting.
Seven Nation Army (4.20) can go one better than when runner up at Newbury last time in the concluding Maiden Hurdle. A dual Bumper winner for David Pipe the 6-y-old is now with Tom George but won't have it all his own way with Nicky Henderson's One For The Guv'Nr another who scored twice in Bumpers and made a promising debut over timber when second to a very decent sort at Exeter.
Keys was a useful sort on the flat for Roger Charlton and showed promise over timber for Nicky Henderson when last seen three years ago. He returns from a 1073 day absence at Plumpton in the opening maiden hurdle and let's hope he retains much of his old ability.
David Pipe fits Obistar (3.00) with blinkers for the first time in the conditional jockey's handicap hurdle and that might bring about the necessary improvement with Kieron Edgar taking the mount.
At Wolverhampton Rememberance Day (3.40) can follow up last month's Kempton success for Les Eyre off a 6lbs higher mark. The filly showed she acts on today's surface when running well from a poor draw over C&D back in October and she is another each way selection. Four of the 11 runners were last time out winners and there are very few you can discount.
Those with experience look ordinary in the 7f maiden and I take a chance on Beat Goes On (4.10) making his racecourse debut for Charlie Hills. The selection cost £70,000 as a yearling and is bred to act on today's surface. The market will provide valuable clues but he is taken to score although the Godolphin colt Regards is another to consider especially if the market speaks in his favour; that said he will do well to overcome what is a very ordinary draw in stall 11.
