12:10 Doncaster

Some nice types lining up for this but HANDS OFF has the potential to be the best of them. This good looking son of Getaway was sent off a warm order on debut in a bumper at Warwick but faded out of it in the closing stages. That is a race that has worked out well though and he took a big step forward tackling hurdles for the first time when runner-up at Ascot last month. He raced keenly throughout and battled on well for second. The winner Crambo looked a strong stayer so it’s a race I think will work out well enough in time. He will likely need to improve to win this but I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t and I make him the one to beat. Moon Hunter made a bright start winning comfortably on debut at Wetherby. The second has franked that form since so he could be the danger despite carrying a penalty. Theatre Man is another one going the right way.

12:35 Leopardsdown

Another competitive race but if EMBASSY GARDENS progresses as expected then he could be really hard to beat here. I know he was sent off odds-on at Cork for his hurdles debut but he just lacked fluency and probably did well to get as close as he did. This step up in trip means things won’t be happening as quickly here and I think he is open to stacks of improvement. I know the yard think a fair bit of him so it will be disappointing if he can’t open his account here. Search For Glory made a winning start under Rules bolting up in a bumper at Fairyhouse and if transferring that ability over hurdles looks the one most likely to emerge as the danger. Madmansgame goes up in trip for his hurdles debut and is worth watching in the betting but lacks experience. Tag Man was a little underwhelming at Naas but is expected to do better with that experience under his belt.