13:30 Redcar

The consistent ASMUND (best priced at 7/2) ended last season with form figures of 32323144 and he should once again run well on his reappearance. The Declan Carroll trained five-year-old won over this course and distance last season off a mark of 62 and he runs here off only a 1lb higher mark. That victory came on good to firm ground but he did also finish a neck 2nd on soft ground off a mark of 62 so that shouldn’t inconvenience him.

Asmund was ridden by 7lb claimer Zak Wheatley on his final three starts last season but Harrison Shaw now takes back over which is a positive and I expect him to run well. 

Asmund - 1pt @ 7/2

15:15 Redcar

The David O’Meara trained HORTSZADAR (best priced at 8/1) takes a drop-in class into a Class 3 0-90 handicap and he should appreciate this easier race. The seven-year-old finished 2nd twice last season off marks of 96 and 93 and is therefore well handicapped off this mark of 89. 

Hortzadar could only finish 13th in the Lincoln handicap on his reappearance this season (had previously finished 3rd in it last year) but he was only beaten 6 lengths so it wasn’t that disappointing and that should put him spot on for this race. He has previously won here and finished 2nd on his three starts at this track and he should run well with five places on offer.

Hortzadar - 0.5pts e/w @ 8/1

16:30 Windsor

The Robert Stephens trained ESPRESSO FREDDO (best priced at 7/1) has form figures of 221 at Windsor and he is respected on his return to this track. The eight-year-old won off a mark of 68 on his last visit to Windsor so he doesn’t look badly handicapped off a mark of 71. 

Espresso Freddo has been running well at Kempton over the winter with a victory off a mark of 69 and placed efforts off 67, 69, 72 and 72 and I expect him to run well in this race with up to four places on offer. 

Espresso Freddo - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1