14:10 Leopardstown

As impressive as Blue Lord has been since switched to chasing I think it’s also hard to pick holes in RIVIERE D’ETEL (best price 9/4) and receiving weight all round I think that makes her a strong play. She won her first 3 starts over fences in the style of a smart mare and she lost little in defeat finding Ferny Hollow too strong over C&D on Boxing Day. That horse has sadly been injured since but certainly has the potential to go right to the top so it could be a very strong piece of form. She remains open to further improvement and under likely aggressive tactics she could take a lot of catching. Blue Lord did it stylishly at Naas but I think he’ll find this tougher and he is short enough in the betting. Saint Sam also made a pleasing start in this sphere winning at Fairyhouse but again this will require more.

15:35 Lingfield

Fancy Man will likely prove popular here after getting his head in front here back in September. It would have been disappointing if he didn’t win that though and I still feel he has a bit to prove. I prefer the chances of AL ZARAQAAN (best price 9/4) for Archie Watson. This son of Golden Horn is unbeaten on the AW making it 4-4 powering clear to get back to winning ways at Newcastle last month. He looks a happy horse right now and with a good pace to aim at I think he can serve it up to the favourite. Living Legend should go hard off the front and isn’t entirely ruled out as I wouldn’t want to see him get loose. King Of The South has won his last 3 and has looked progressive so also has to enter calculations in a good renewal. Rose Of Kildare hasn’t been seen for a while but should be fit enough to do himself justice at least.