12:55 Wincanton

After some encouraging runs over hurdles it was good to see STORMIN CROSSGALES get his head in front at this track on final start back in March. He was well backed that day and made all the running to win readily in the end. Put away since connections will be hopeful he can make a chaser and I think Tom George has found a good opportunity for him to strike at the first time of asking. He could look to boss this field and if he gets into a rhythm early he should prove hard to pass. The main rival according to the betting is Cap Du Mathan for Paul Nicholls. This horse won a couple of times over hurdles but was seriously disappointing on chase debut finishing last of the four finishers. He will need to leave that behind to figure so perhaps Fast Buck will put up greater resistance but also has enough to prove.

13:38 Newcastle

The step up in trip definitely helped FATIQUE DE L’SLE at Ffos Las last month as he needed every yard of the running to get up and beat Jean Genie. I thought Charlie Deutsch rode him with supreme confidence that day and he always travelled like the winner. He had to show a good attitude to get up in the end but the front pair came some 7 lengths clear with the field well strung out. That was just his third start over the larger obstacles so he will improve and he remains thoroughly unexposed over this trip. Quiet Flow stuck to the task when third at Sedgefield last time and up further in trip should get competitive again. Ballintogher Boy might be a bigger danger though as he only missed by a neck at Sedgefield and is clearly in good form right now. Well Cliche ditches the tongue tie but still has enough to prove right now.