13:40 Musselburgh

Masked Crusader is respected for the in-form team of Brian Hughes and Donald McCain but preference goes to DIAMOND STATE (best priced at 9/4) who has run well on both of his starts over fences to date. The Lucinda Russell trained six-year-old won twice at this course over hurdles last season before placing on another three occasions at the same track. 

Diamond State ran well to finish 2nd on his chasing debut at Hexham when fitted with a tongue tie before finishing 3rd over this course and distance last time when beaten 7 ¾ lengths. The handicapper has dropped him 1lb down to a mark of 112 which is a lower mark than when 2nd here last season off marks of 114 and 116 and I expect him to get off the mark at the third attempt.

Diamond State - 1pt @ 9/4

14:25 Lingfield

The Venetia Williams trained Achille is no doubt well handicapped off a mark of 125 but this trip of 2m4f is well short of his optimum and preference instead goes to GO STEADY  (best priced at 3/1). The Dan Skelton trained ten-year-old won a handicap hurdle off a mark of 115 last season and he races here off only 1lb higher over fences.

Go Steady is a five-time winner over intermediate trips in his career so this trip should be optimum for him in comparison to his rivals who are better suited by a longer trip. Tristan Durrell has ridden him on his previous two starts so should know him well now and I expect him Go Steady to prove hard to beat. 

Go Steady - 1pt @ 3/1