My main fancies are highlighted in bold – other horses mentioned are well worth considering and should be treated as dangers to the main selection.
Leicester
1.20 Dancing Emily made a good impression when winning a bumper at Taunton in March and was not disgraced when 4th under a penalty at Ffos Las the month after. Trip the Light could be interesting if taking to hurdles. He was a great servant to Richard Fahey on the flat winning 12 times
2.50 First Fandango was second in a good handicap at Kempton last month and AP McCoy rides him for the first time here.
Limerick
3.15 The Engineer showed decent form in bumpers last season but was a beaten favourite when 2nd at Galway last month. He is well thought of by connections.
Plumpton
1.00 Turbo du Ranch won a Newbury bumper last season but was unable to follow up at Huntingdon in October when he failed to defy a penalty. He should be up to winning over hurdles.
1.30 Notus de la Tour won on his chase debut for the in form David Pipe and looks a good prospect. Megastar, a smart hurdler, was last of 3 on his chase bow at Ascot last month. He will have learned from that but would not want the ground too soft. The other two are no mugs. Kind of Easy, described by his trainer as a bit of a playboy, has form in bumpers and over hurdles but may want a bit further than this while Dona, a dual point to point winner won twice over hurdles last season. I would be inclined to take on Notus de la Tour if only because I don’t like odds on favourite in novice chases.
2.00 Bathwick Brave was placed a couple of times over 2 miles and his pedigree suggests this longer trip will suit him.
2.30 Penny Max has point to point experience and won a bumper at Folkestone. He also ran well over hurdles at Newbury last season. He is likely to be suited by soft ground.
4.00 Point to point winner Minella for Party was 3rd at Ffos Las when a beaten favourite. He is likely to go close here. There is also a good word for Itchen Legend.
Nap of the day
First Fandango
Dark horse
The Engineer
Todays pictures are courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.
ahorse 