13:45 Taunton

I had KAYF HERNANDO on my radar to make into a better chaser than hurdler so I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed when he was only fourth on debut over fences at Bangor. He was hampered slightly 2 out but didn’t hit the line with much conviction. Abandoning him proved costly as he ran out an 11-length winner over C&D last month with the field trailing in his wake. That was much more like it so even up 9lb he is one I want to keep on side. Fawsley Spirit was back from a lengthy absence to get within a short head of victory at Market Rasen last month. He has been given a bit of time since that so if building on it will be the danger to the selection. Mahon Point ran well when second to Itso Fury at Ludlow but that form has been knocked since. Whydah Gally still has potential but was beaten a long way in the end at Plumpton last month so has a bit to prove.

14:00 Haydock

Another good race but I’m keen to side with EASY AS THAT for Venetia Williams. He is in different ownership now so wears different colours but returned with an encouraging enough effort when two of two on chase debut at Ffos Las last month. The winner Knickerbockerglory is a decent yardstick for Dan Skelton and he only went down 3 and a bit lengths following a 639-day layoff. He has been given a bit of time to get over that and should strip fitter from the run. He can keep improving over fences for a while yet and is expected to make his mark with the step up in trip in favour too. Ubetya needed the outing on stable debut at Carlisle but was much better going down a length at Bangor and if building on that again could be the danger. Peejaybee is quite a big price too if leaving behind that reappearance run at Carlisle as he seemed to need that.