13:00 Haydock

The likeable BUSHYPARK (best price 9/4) signed off last season with an impressive win over hurdles here to make it 5 wins from just 6 starts and he returned better than ever on chase debut at Kelso to win readily. The horse he beat Doyen Breed had edged out Emitom on his chase debut at Hexham prior to that so it rates strong form in my book. He will be suited by a return to this venue and almost certainly has more to come over fences given he was a point to point winner over 3 miles. This is competitive but a 5lb rise shouldn’t be enough to halt his progression and I make him a strong play. Torn And Frayed is very consistent and looks one of the dangers but Mint Condition may pose the greatest threat if building on that excellent neck second here last time having made a mistake at the last.

16:30 Wolverhampton

This looks quite a good race and one which I think will throw up plenty of future winners. I’m keen to side with OBSIDIAN KNIGHT (best price 5/2) though for trainer and owner Terry Kent. This son of Awtaad ran a cracker when denied just a short head on debut over C&D and with usual improvement he is going to take a lot of beating here. The winner Greek Flame looks a really nice filly for James Fanshawe and the third Famous Star had won her maiden well heading into it. I think it will turn out to be a solid piece of form and this looks a great chance for him to go one better with Mark Crehan claiming a handy 3lb again. Second Kingdom also shaped encouragingly on debut but the step back in trip might prove against him. New Force is also likely to have improved and is likely to get competitive.