11:52 Wetherby

QUEENS ROCK cruised to success on her hurdling bow and the daughter of Shirocco could be difficult to beat under a penalty, with further improvement a distinct possibility. Micronormous shaped with promise at Wincanton earlier this month, finishing third, and she rates the main danger, ahead of Nell's Bells, who showed a fair level of ability in bumpers. Visite Officielle was supported at big prices at Catterick last month and she's another who must be of interest.
Prediction : 1st Queens Rock 2nd Micronormous 3rd Nells Bells

12:27 Wetherby

Aire Valley Lad recorded a comfortable success over C&D earlier this month and he demands the utmost respect from a 5lb higher mark, but a chance is taken on GET PREPARED. A point-to-point winner, the son of Black Sam Bellamy ought to relish going over the larger obstacles and he could prove fairly treated from a mark of 101. Recent Sedgefield scorer Sir Apollo enters calculations, along with Onestepatatime and Court At Slip.
Prediction : 1st Get Prepared 2nd Aire Valley Lad 3rd Sir Apollo

13:00 Wetherby

SPORTING MIKE appeared to be well ahead of the handicapper when recording a comfortable success at Southwell last month and a subsequent 10lb rise might not be enough to stop the five-year-old following up. Copperfasten finished a well-beaten third at Exeter last time but she's fancied to go well on her handicap debut. Where's Hector had excuses on his latest outing and remains open to improvement, while the consistent Curley Finger is another likely candidate.
Prediction : 1st Sporting Mike 2nd Copperfasten 3rd Wheres Hector

13:35 Wetherby

SHAN BLUE is a fascinating runner on his return from 261 days off the track. Dan Skelton's charge impressively won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on this day two years ago and you only have to go back three starts for when he tipped up three out in the Charlie Hall over C&D when some 25 lengths clear. He makes more appeal than dual Grade 1 winner Chantry House and Rehearsal Chase runner-up Into Overdrive.
Prediction : 1st Shan Blue 2nd Chantry House 3rd Into Overdrive

14:10 Wetherby

THANKSFORTHEHELP could be very well handicapped on his return to action. Representing shrewd connections, it is interesting that David Pipe's charge made his handicap debut, and was sent off favourite, at the Punchestown Festival earlier this year. A close-up third on that occasion, he is expected to improve for stretching out in trip and gets in here off a light weight. Zabeel Champion may take a step forward in first-time cheekpieces and is noted, along with Ashington.
Prediction : 1st Thanksforthehelp 2nd Zabeel Champion 3rd Ashington

14:45 Wetherby

Karl Philippe was a comfortable winner on his most recent outing over this course and distance but a 7lb raised mark could see him struggle today. Therefore, it is easier to side with the grade-dropping ANY NEWS, who was last seen finishing third behind Threeunderthrufive at Warwick in January. He has proven to run well fresh in the past and should not be overlooked, while Brief Times is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Any News 2nd Karl Philippe 3rd Brief Times

15:20 Wetherby

I Have A Voice is an interesting contender on his handicap bow having bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Southwell last month. He is joint top-rated with Brentford Hope and Clear White Light but gets plenty of weight off his elders today. However, GALAHAD THREEPWOOD ran a cracker when second at Sandown earlier this month and can improve off a 4lb higher mark, while Bridge Road is another to consider having scored at Leicester most recently.
Prediction : 1st Galahad Threepwood 2nd I Have A Voice 3rd Bridge Road