15:05 Newbury

This looks a deep renewal of the Challow with the exciting STAGE STAR (best price 7/4) heading the betting for Paul Nicholls. The yard won this last year with Bravemansgame and look to have another great chance of taking the prize home. This son of Fame And Glory has won both starts over hurdles with a minimum of fuss and was particularly impressive again over C&D last time, galloping on relentlessly to win easily. He is yet to be tested and while this is tougher I think there is much more in the locker yet so he can bring up the hat-trick. Lossiemouth has been progressive himself since the blinkers have gone on bringing up a hat-trick of wins at Sandown. He has to be feared but the selection brings greater potential to the table. Gringo D’Aubrelle would have been targeted for this so also needs respecting.
 

18:30 Southwell

The way NAVAL CAPTAIN (best price 7/4) overcame inexperience to make a winning start at Newcastle was mightily impressive and given he is likely to be a lot more streetwise now I think he is worth backing to make it 2-2 despite the penalty. He ran green last time and looked horribly outpaced before the penny dropped. He ran on strongly to get up and it was a really taking effort. I don’t really see anything in here good enough to seriously challenge him and the two newcomers are quite big prices so unless the market speaks favourably it looks his race to lose. Blackjack has plenty of scope and also won on debut and acquitted himself well under a penalty last time so looks the danger. Acrion is the most intriguing debutant but is probably going to need the outing unless the betting suggests otherwise.