13:30 Newton Abbot

Leg 1 Selections: TIP TOP TONTO

The Dr Richard Newland-trained TIP TOP TONTO has made a positive start to his hurdles career and while he couldn’t sustain the finishing kick of Stony Man at Bangor seven weeks ago, he did well to hold his ground and fend off a subsequent winner, who was back in third over the two-mile distance. This is a lot easier and, with the step up in trip expected to have a positive outcome, he’s taken to go one better.

14:05 Newton Abbot

Leg 2 Selections: FAT SAM

It’s difficult to rule any of these out, but the top-weight FAT SAM has a fine record in this sphere over this trip, in which his figures read F211. He has looked in good heart over hurdles the last twice, winning easily at Ffos Las and then matching that form when runner-up at Worcester last week. Back over fences off a workable mark, James Davies can guide him to yet another victory with plenty in his favour.

14:40 Newton Abbot

Leg 3 Selections: AL ROC

A good race for the grade on leg three and while he’s not as good over hurdles as he is over fences, the in-form AL ROC is fancied to make his presence felt off an attractive mark. He has been in really good form over fences this year, where he’s won four times and is back over hurdles off a thirteen pounds lower mark than when scoring over fences last time. If he can match his chase form in this discipline, he’s got every chance.

15:10 Newton Abbot

Leg 4 Selections: ROMANOR, DOGON

ROMANOR never looked comfortable at Cartmel last time but still managed to finish a respectable and did well to score over today’s course-and-distance on his penultimate start. I can see him playing a leading role, while DOGON has a tendency to sulk when push comes to shove and is temperamental at the best of times, but perhaps Sam Twiston-Davies can give him a cool, calm and collected ride and get him home in front for Paul Nicholls.

15:45 Newton Abbot

Leg 5 Selections: THAHAB IFRAJ, SERGEANT

THAHAB IFRAJ has been knocking on the door lately and has placed in three of his four starts this year, including over course-and-distance last month. Off the same mark as the last two times, he should go close in this event. SERGEANT won after a break on last season’s reappearance and won twice before finishing second three times in a row. He’s a serious player if able to resume his racing in the same form.

16:15 Newton Abbot

Leg 6 Selections: COME ON DU BERLAIS

This doesn’t look like a strong-looking contest and it’s hard to see past COME ON DU BERLAIS for team Bowen and Elliott. She was narrowly denied on debut but made no mistake at Kelso last time and she should have more to offer. Despite carrying a penalty on this occasion, she should be equal to the task unless newcomer Midnight Rose turns out to be above-average for the Philip Hobbs team.