13:15 Ascot

This is competitive but at the same time it looks a good starting point for PENCILFULLOFLEAD. He won his first two starts over fences last season before bumping into Colreevy at Limerick and then placing in graded company on final start at Naas where he went up in trip. He still retains plenty of potential given how lightly raced he is and I think he can do well this season. We know he goes well fresh and I think this test will be right up his street. Messier Des Obeaux has been tricky to train but when he is good he is a very smart horse. He probably would have won at Wetherby before going wrong and has been given time since. He has gone well fresh in the past too so may well emerge as the danger. L’Homme Presse won at Chepstow on return and has potential to do better but this is obviously much tougher so he’ll certainly need to.

17:30 Wolverhampton

Pink Crystal is likely to be popular here after going close at Newcastle last time and that form is pretty solid but I think there might be value in backing BALLET STEPS. This filly really impressed to win despite inexperience on debut at Beverley and while she failed to fire at York that was in Listed company and it was a tough test to come so soon. She has been given time since and remains open to plenty of improvement. This looks a good opportunity on her return and she still has potential to be a nice prospect. Return Voyage showed ability to finish third on debut at Lingfield and with usual improvement shouldn’t be too far away in the finish here either. She might even step forward enough to be the main danger. Misscall knew her job on debut but couldn’t sustain the gallop. She is likely to put pace to the race again here which will be a good thing.