13:40 Wetherby

Leg 1 Selections: Since Day One, Whistleinthedark

SINCE DAY ONE has a really strong record in small-field events and has won two of his four chase starts. He ran a solid race when third behind Tommy’s Oscar in a Grade two last time and, now tackling a longer trip dropped in grade, he could resume winning ways in this match-race here. 

WHISTLEINTHEDARK won on his chase debut on Boxing Day by 13-lengths though and is feared with better to come. He has to be included just in case the former underperforms for whatever reason as match-race events can be decided on tactics the best horse doesn’t always win. . 

14:10 Wetherby

Leg 2 Selections: Montgomery 

MONTGOMERY showed plenty of ability when runner-up on his sole bumper start at Worcester and that is useful form given the winner went close in a Grade Two last year. 

Christian Williams’ charge went one better on his hurdles debut a year later and is open to further improvement on his return in leg 2.  

14:40 Wetherby

Leg 3 Selections: Elogio

ELOGIO returned a good winner of his sole bumper start at Aintree and actually did well to finish runner-up on his hurdles debut considering just about everything went wrong for him. 

He is a lot better than that and Tom Lacey’s charge is worth another chance to showcase his qualities and go one better with Sam Twiston-Davies booked to ride. 

15:15 Wetherby

Leg 4 Selections: Impulsive One, Milkwood

This has initially looked wide-on paper but I am eager to side with two horses who marginally look classier than the rest. IMPULSIVE ONE won three times last term and has run with credit the last twice. He is only two-pounds higher than his last win and has a good chance. 

The top-weight MILKWOOD has lots of classy form to his name and ran well two starts back when second in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He’ll find this easier than last time, which came in a Grade 2, and is heavily respected given his back-class. 

15:50 Wetherby

Leg 5 Selections: Xcitations, Hasankey

XCITATIONS wasn’t able to operate at his best when down the field at Doncaster last time but won four of his previous five starts and is eased in grade here. He should be better suited to this race than last time and must be thereabouts if back to something near his best. 

HASANKEY won three on the bounce before a good sixth in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. He hasn’t been competitive in his last two starts but has won over track and trip and isn’t out of this from his reduced mark. 

16:20 Wetherby

Leg 6 Selections: East Street, The Mighty Arc 

EAST STREET has only been out of the frame once in his seven starts and was only denied by a neck over track and trip last month. He is up five-pounds but should continue to improve in the chasing ranks and should go well. 

THE MIGHTY ARC ran poorly last time but is lurking on a competitive mark and would be a massive danger to all in leg 6 if able to rediscover the form of his Sedgefield success.