15:00 Whetherby

I’m looking forward to seeing SPORTING JOHN back out at Wetherby on Saturday. This horse was one of the most exciting novice hurdlers around heading into the 2020 Cheltenham Festival before he disappointed. He went chasing after that and despite springing a 14/1 surprise in the Scilly Isles at Sandown he never quite lived up to expectations falling at the Festival behind Monkfish and then pulling up behind Chantry House at Aintree. He went back over hurdles last season and looked a much happier horse winning 2 from 3. He capped off the season winning a competitive handicap at Warwick impressively. He has more to come over staying trips and goes well fresh so should prove hard to beat here. Threeunderthrufive still has potential and looks the biggest danger.

15:50 Ascot

Progressive bumper horse LEAVE OF ABSENCE may well be one to follow over hurdles this season for Chris Gordon. He looked the part winning on debut under Rules at Kempton at the start of the year and backed that up to score by 6 lengths at Newbury next time out. There was nothing wrong with his third in a Grade 2 at Aintree on final start and he can improve again now going hurdling. The yard are in good form and this horse looks an exciting prospect to go jumping with. Invincible Nao won over hurdles in France and was purchased for €155,000 in May so could emerge as the danger for Gary Moore. Blow Your Wad finished a place behind the selection in that bumper at Aintree so if taking to this discipline might not end up being that far away either.