1.50 Kempton

CHARLI PARCS really ought to move serenely towards whichever Cheltenham festival target his connections choose with victory here, even if another smooth win would teach us precious little. The market leader has already beaten Mister Blueyes by eight lengths and, although that old adversary may have improved a little since, it would take a major blip by Nicky Henderson’s exciting juvenile not to record another success. The concern with betting in the ‘without the favourite’ markets is that a number of the runners have already qualified for the Fred Winter Hurdle and presumably wouldn’t be too keen to pick up a penalty. PERCY STREET (Best price 9-1) is on the cusp of those that will make the final cut for that festival handicap so a penalty would ensure his Cheltenham presence. He could be worth playing without Charli Parcs given today’s surface will be much more suitable than the treacle he was forced to contend with at Sandown last week.

Percy Street - 0.5pts e/w @ 9/1

2.25 Kempton

With a mark of 153 and upwards of 8lb in hand on official ratings, Frodon has understandably been put in a warm favourite here. He may well take all the beating but has been busy enough of late and there could be some value in CHARMIX (Best price 5-2) now he is equipped with the cheekpieces. Harry Fry’s gelding looked to have an Exeter event at his mercy when capsizing two from home and that would have represented a fair effort in its own right with the useful Gala Ball seemingly held in second. The selection was raised 8lb for that performance which seems harsh given he didn’t even win so connections look wise to eschew handicaps for the time being.

Charmix - 1pt @ 5/2

3.00 Kempton

This event features a smart field intent on furthering their Cheltenham aspirations and PETER THE MAYO MAN (Best price 7-1) could be the horse to enrich his status three weeks before the festival. Although beaten at Musselburgh last time, Neil Mulholland’s talented seven-year-old went down fighting at the hands of Lough Derg Spirit who was allowed to dictate terms from the front that day. There is a possibility this afternoon’s Grade 2 could be a similarly tactical affair and the versatility of Peter The Mayo Man could be a trump card given he can either sit on the speed or indeed make the pace if Capitaine declines to. The selection had previously bolted up at Newbury in handicap company with any amount in hand and, although he suffered his first reverse of the season in Scotland, he is fancied to bounce back at the expense of Capitaine and River Wylde.

Peter The Mayo Man - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1

3.35 Kempton

Double Shuffle looks to have been saved for this race following his smooth win over course and distance at Christmas. His winning margin was perhaps exaggerated by errors in the straight from a number of his close rivals but he still won with authority and is clearly well suited by conditions. Irish Saint should enjoy the better ground, but there is a suspicion he isn’t getting home over 3m so preference is for THREE MUSKETEERS (Best price 7-1) who bounced back to form at Market Rasen and his stable have emerged from a quiet spell in the last fortnight. As a son of Flemensfirth, the selection was always likely to find improvement for a step up in trip and he appeared to be happier going right handed. It is a little early to write off Aso as he lost a shoe at Cheltenham and that race has worked out well. He is one to consider at a price.

Three Musketeers - 1pt e/w @ 7/1

2.05 Lingfield

Dean Ivory has developed into a master trainer of sprinters and I’m hoping LANCELOT DU LAC (Lingfield, 2.05) can complete the hat-trick here. Ivory reports his seven-year-old is a stronger, more complete horse this season and he certainly did well to hold off Boom The Groom (3rd) and Pretend (5th) who were behind the selection when they met over course and distance three weeks ago. Although Pretend was a little unlucky that day and Boom The Groom was coming off a break, Lancelot Du Lac was a shade too keen and suffered a tough trip himself so there may be more to come.

Lancelot Du Lac - 1pt @ 11/4

3.15 Lingfield

It is easy to see why Mutakayyef is favourite for this event given he has been Group 1 placed on the turf and goes well fresh. A fine third to Postponed in the Juddmonte at York in the summer, he wound up his campaign by running third to classy US mare Tepin at Woodbine. He will be tough to beat if handling the track but, in the hope there is a chink in his armour on his return, GRENDISAR (Best price 6-1) is offered as a better each-way value alternative to repeat his win in the race from last year on his 20th start at the track. The selection hasn’t rediscovered that level of form this winter, but the first-time use of the blinkers could be the catalyst to a sharper showing and his yard have been among the winners of late.

Grendisar - 0.5pts e/w @ 6/1

2.45 Newcastle

PORTRAIT KING (Best price 16-1) is a bit long in the tooth these days, but the veteran has been in decent heart this season and could be ready to roll back the years in the Eider Chase. A winner of the marathon feature in 2012, the Irish raider enjoyed an eye-catching tune up over hurdles at Ayr last time having previously run with great credit in the Becher Chase. That race has enjoyed a couple of serious form boosts in recent times with Vieux Lion Rouge scoring last Saturday and One For Arthur also bagging a prestigious staying chase. He is no good thing in a competitive race, but does at least stay well and handle the track.
Michael Scudamore landing a staying chase at Exeter yesterday and MYSTEREE (Best Price 9-1) could be ready to bounce back from an abject defeat last time. The course winner had previously looked on the upgrade and the return to one of his favoured venues could help him regain his form today.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing

Portrait King - 0.5pts e/w @ 16/1
Mysteree - 1pt @ 9/1