1:50 Betvictor Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 189y

Coral Blue has improved since refitted with a tongue tie two starts ago, registering wins on both outings wearing the aid, and was impressive when scoring at Ayr last time by four and three-quarter lengths from Foster’s Island, going to the front on the home turn and never in any real danger after that.

The handicapper has had his say, but the son of Big Bad Bob may not be finished on his upward curve, and he makes most appeal on the balance of his form. His win last time showed that he doesn’t need to dominate from the start, and connections have been guilty of asking him to do too much in the past.

Although ridden on the front end the last twice, he’s not been rushed to the front as had been the case, and seems to be a better horse for that slight change of tactics.

2:25 Schloss Roxburghe Hotel Handicap Hurdle 3m 1f 170y

Pym is an intriguing runner here given that he’s making his debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies on the back of an absence of almost 18 months. He was once a talented hurdler and novice chaser for Nicky Henderson, but has clearly had physical issues, showing his form only fleetingly for Ollie Greenall in the 2021/22 season.

He is obviously a risky proposition, but dropped further in the weights to a mark of 127 and is now almost 2st below his peak rating.

Pym may have found the years and his physical problems catching up with him, but it seems strange that new connections are sending him all the way to Kelso (in-form yard’s only runner on the card) when he could have joined a number of stablemates on a jaunt to Newbury instead.

The long journey suggests that this isn’t just a tune-up, and Pym looks set to get an easy lead, so looks worth the gamble at longish odds.

3:00 Betvictor Herring Queen Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 51y

Bonttay makes most appeal in this valuable handicap, particularly if her chance is gauged on her useful bumper form. The daughter of Westerner won three of her four starts in bumpers, giving best only to the smart Queen’s Gamble.

She’s been no worse than second in three hurdles runs either, but arrives here rated just 110, which seems very generous. A winner at Exeter on her penultimate start, Bonttay wasn’t seen to best effect at Market Rasen last time, giving the well-ridden winner far too much rope in front, and finishing off best of the rest for a clear second.

I’d expect Paddy Brennan to ride Bonttay a little closer to the pace here, for all she’s unlikely to take any part in the early skirmishes, and she has the raw ability to rate much higher when ridden to best effect, especially if she can find more fluency in her jumping. The fitting of cheekpieces should be some help in that regard and she looks a solid bet.

3:35 Make Your Best Bet At Betvictor Handicap Chase 3m 2f 39y

The top pair in this handicap have Aintree on their respective agendas, with Cilaos Emery needing a top-four finish to qualify for the Grand National, a race that Hill Sixteen is also engaged in.

This seems an odd warm-up for the latter coming as close as it does to that target, and there is no penalty for winning which might ensure he makes the cut.

Doyen Breed makes more appeal of the Sandy Thomson pair, but he may struggle to concede weight to the progressive Forward Plan, who looks likely to take a rise in class in his stride. Winner of both starts over fences at a staying trip, he impressed with how well he jumped at Southwell last time, and had any amount in hand when beating Lord Sparky.

The selection is taking on better rivals here, but he absolutely tanked along throughout the race last time, and won’t be fazed by a faster gallop.

He lacks experience, but his jumping improved noticeably in two runs at Southwell, and his sole defeat over fences came when second over an inadequate two miles and three furlongs on his chase bow at Fontwell.

1:30 Bet In-play On Racing With Betvictor Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 183y

Two of interest here, and it would be three, but I think that this race will come too soon for Inneston after a punishing effort in the EBF Final at Sandown.

Glen Cannel has tended to race too freely to date, but even so ran a cracker to be 15 lengths third of 6 to Inis Oirr in a classy novice event at Musselburgh last time, leading in the straight but failing to stay after racing fiercely in the early stages.

Runner-up at Musselburgh was Outlaw Peter, now rated 135 after winning both starts since, and although 15 lengths adrift at level weights, a rating of 122 for Glen Cannel is very fair on a line through that rival. He makes appeal dropped in trip, especially with the likelihood of a strong pace which ought to stop him from over-racing.

Also of interest is Atlanta Brave, who hails from the thriving Kerry Lee stable which has produced 13 winners from 41 runners since the turn of the year. Atlanta Brave looked a good prospect when beating Ed Keeper at Chepstow in January, and while the runner-up hasn’t been seen since, the third, fifth and seventh from that contest have all won subsequently, and the form looks solid.

Atlanta Brave showed a really good attitude to get to the line in front at Chepstow, and followed up with a bit to spare at Hereford, so while a mark of 125 demands more, he looks more than able to produce that and seemed to do only what was required to win the last twice.

2:05 Run For Your Money At Betvictor Handicap Chase 2m 3f 187y

The ground will be very different than for his win in the Greatwood Gold Cup, but The Big Bite has plenty of form in the mud and has taken just a small rise in the weights for his narrow win over the progressive Gemirande.

That leaves him 11lb lower than his peak rating, also gained over course and distance, and while he’s long been a tricky customer, he reacted well to the fitting of cheekpieces last time, and is taken to remain on the right path with the race again likely to be run to suit his style of racing.

2:40 British EBF ‘National Hunt’ Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f 118y

Aubis Walk is a smart mare in the making, and can give Nicky Richards a big-race winner in the Honeysuckle colours of Kenny Alexander.

Winner of a Sedgefield novice last time by a yawning 23 lengths despite losing her concentration when clear, she had previously fallen when travelling well at Ayr, and although a work in progress, looks a decent bet for a yard which has suddenly hit form with a vengeance.

Nicky Richards had just four winners between the end of November and the end of February, but he has saddled double that number in the last fortnight alone, with recent form figures reading: 1168126811P112315.

That augurs well for another improved effort from the daughter of Walk In The Park, and it would be great news for the trainer if he could land such a good race for a new owner who can pull a lot of strings for the Greystoke yard.

Atlanta Brave 1:30 Newbury – 2pts win @ 13/2 (general)

Aubis Walk 2:40 Newbury – 1pt win @ 8/1 (general)