18.30 Ballinrobe

Plenty with chances in this wide-open and valuable handicap hurdle but nothing arrives here in better form than SOLE PRENTENDER (NAP) (best price 13-2) and he’s strongly fancied to keep his winning run intact and complete a hat trick. 

Winner of a bumper over today’s course on his racecourse debut a year ago, Norman Lee’s gelding has gone on to make his mark over hurdles and his last two victories very much confirm that he’s improving at a rapid rate of knots. Fitted with the first-time hood for the first of those successes, the five-year-old easily accounted for a useful field over today’s course and with the runner-up that night, Ejayteekay, going on to slam a competitive field in convincing fashion here 24 hours ago, the form looks extremely reliable.

Arguably even more impressive last time out at Wexford, the son of Gold Well clocked a smart speed figure when dropping back down to the minimum trip and having already proven that he stays tonight’s 2m4f well when scoring at Clonmel back in October, he has every chance of keeping his 100% track record intact.

Sole Pretender - 1pt e/w @ 13/2

19.10 Southwell

Quite a few that could probably walk to tonight’s venue they’ve been there that many times, and of those that have their pass stamped on a regular basis HONEY GG (best price 6-1) seems the most logical and reliable choice.

A record of 212122 at the Nottinghamshire track speaks for itself, and Declan Carroll’s filly once again ran up to her usual solid standard at her latest visit at the beginning of the month. As ever, the daughter of Mayson was always up with the pace and although she ended up playing second fiddle to another track regular Samovar, her overall performance was hard to knock unless you are incredibly ungenerous.

Nicely drawn again right down the middle in stall nine, another good break should see her in the thick of the action from the start and as she’s more likely than not to keep up a strong gallop all the way to the line, she rates banker each-way/place only material at her morning odds.

Honey GG - 1pt e/w @ 6/1

20.00 Ballinrobe

A cracking-looking renewal of the Mayo National and CARRIG CATHAL (best price 14-1) is worth a small interest at a track where he’s often displayed some of his best form. Formerly useful when with Gordon Elliot, the eight-year-old has managed to score twice for new connections and as both have come about courtesy of tonight’s course, there’s reason to believe that he can outrun his odds on his return visit.

The way he went through the race when scoring with effortless ease here last time out suggests he should be at home in this better grade, and with the trip the only real negative you can find when looking at his overall prospects, the son of Fair Mix should be capable of giving local connections a big shout.

Carrig Cathal - 0.5pts e/w @ 14/1