15:15 Hexham

The money was down for EVERYDAY CHAMPAGNE (best price 15/8) at Newcastle earlier in the month and while he failed to land the gamble he certainly didn’t shape without promise. He made a bad mistake 4 out and lost ground as a result. He tried to get back into the race but was always on the backfoot after that and did well to get as close as he did. He looks ahead of his mark to me and with improvement likely coupled hopefully with a slicker round of jumping I think he can go a couple of places better here. Fightfortheroses finally got his head in front at Sedgefield in January but has failed to back that up since. Lovely Moon drops in grade so has to be considered as a live danger against the selection. Blow By Blow at a bigger price is capable but a lengthy losing run hardly inspires confidence.

15:30 Ludlow

I’ve been waiting for BOBHOPEORNOHOPE (best prioce 6/4) to run again and I think he looks well placed to make it 3 wins from his last 4 starts here. He beat a very good horse in Omar Maretti at Market Rasen back in December and following a blip next time he was very much back to his best winning readily over C&D last month. He raced enthusiastically off the front and was always dominating his rivals staying on strongly in the closing stages. The handicapper has reacted raising him 8lb but he will get his own way out in front here and if he is in that rhythm again he will be extremely difficult to peg back under David Bass. Tide Times impressed beating Guy last week and drying ground shouldn’t inconvenience but he carries a penalty and this is coming soon enough for me. Head To The Stars is also feared.