12:40 Cheltenham

The booking of Jamie Codd immediately draws you to the attentions of DUELLING BANJOS (best price 11-2) claims and following a hugely encouraging start to his campaign at Exeter 24 days ago, his chances are magnified even further. Having his first outing for 214 days, Kim Bailey’s inmate set a rare old gallop at the head of affairs and although he couldn’t see it out on the closing stages when picked off by the race-fit Gingili, the seven-year-old came out of the race with his medals blazing on his chest. Not only was the performance in defeat a hugely brave one, the son of Proclamation helped post an extremely smart time figure for the race and with consistency very much his by-word, he’s fancied to hit the frame at the very least with the tongue-tie, cheekpiece combination still in evidence. 

Duelling Banjos - 1pt e/w @ 11/2

13:15 Cheltenham

COUNTER SHY (best price 9-2) came of his latest encounter with great credit despite getting beaten and he doesn’t look too badly treated on handicap debut for connections always feared at this track. A smooth scorer on hurdling debut over the useful Banditry was the perfect start for Jonjo O’Neill’s charge and understandably he was fancied to go well again on his second assignment at Uttoxeter 29 days ago. Looking the likeliest winner down the straight, the Galileo gelding just got picked off in the closing stages by the fast-finishing Midnight Shadow, but as that horse is held in some regard by the Sue Smith team, it was certainly no disgrace to go under by a narrow margin.

Moreover, he just left the impression that the rain-softened ground rather blunted his speed late on and now on a much more favourable surface, the lightly-raced four-year-old rates a solid each-way bet in a race where there doesn’t appear to be too many likely to bowl one out the back of the hand. 

Counter Shy - 1pt e/w @ 9/2

13:25 Lingfield

Part Exchange was wildly impressive both visually and on the speed figures when winning on debut and with the potential of more to come, you can see why many will be falling over themselves to play her at short odds. However, providing the dead-eight runners go to post, there looks to be a classic thieving each-way bet in the shape of CRIMSON ROSETTE (best price 5-1) and she rates the percentage call of the pair. Although she had to wait till her fifth start to finally get off the mark, Charlie Fellows’ inmate did it in the style of a horse that can continue go further up the ranks and her time figure also suggests she certainly on the right side of the handicapper at present, also. 

Crimson Rosette - 1pt e/w @ 5/1

18:00 Dundalk

RECKLESS LAD (best price 8-1) found 6f way too sharp for him here last week, but now returning to his optimum trip he has a decent chance of getting back to winning ways off what appears to be a favourable mark. Understandably for a horse use to racing over 1m or further, the son of Chevalier was outpaced and towards the rear as the field swung for home seven days ago, but finishing as well as anything to get within a length of the eventual winner, his 3f split time of 34.4, spelt out that the seven-year-old still remains in rude health.

Prior to that excellent effort, Pat Martin’s charge had run out a comfortable winner of C&D claimer and as his performances against the likes of Red Avenger, Geological and He’s Our Music were all useful on the speed figure here this time last year, there’s no reason to suggest anything other than a solid display is in the offing from this likeable old boy.

Reckless Lad - 0.5pts e/w @ 8/1

18:30 Dundalk

NO APPROVAL (best price 12-1) has been banging his head against a brick wall on soft or heavy ground of late and having always given the impression he’d be a miles better horse on a sounder surface, tonight’s all-weather debut could well see him in a much better light. A big eye-catcher in a fair heat on the figures at Tipperary back in June, the Approve gelding failed to justify his position in the market on several occasions thereafter, but he has dropped down to a favourable mark and a good break from his handy inside draw should allow him to outrun his odds. 

No Approval - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1

19:00 Dundalk

Weightfordave is turning into a retched creature as far as the punters are concerned (0-24 and beaten favourite in eight of his last 10 starts) and he rates poor value at the morning prices, whereas in-form INDIAN TOMAHAWK (NAP) (best price 6-1) arrives here with a much stronger recent profile and yet is available to back at double the odds. A C&D winner two starts ago, Richard O’Brien proved that he’s holding his form together nicely with another solid effort here last week and if it wasn’t for his main market rival, Koybig, just getting first run on him in the home straight, he may have followed up. Better drawn here tonight than last week, the son of Sleeping Indian looks rock-solid each-way material given his recent exploits.

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Indian Tomahawk - 1pt e/w @ 6/1