14:10 Newbury

Rookie handler Harry Derham has made a terrific start to his training career and DARGIANNINI (best price 3/1), one of his six winners so far to date, has a decent chance of adding to that tally if running to a similar level he did in victory at Uttoxeter last time out.

Held in high regard when housed with his two previous trainers, he never quite managed to hit the heights expected, but it hasn’t taken long for his new set-up to get to the bottom of his issues and it’s certainly not too late in the day for him to realise his potential.

A casualty on his first start from his Lambourn base over fences at Warwick, the son of Fame And Glory reverted to hurdles at the Midland venue a month later and after travelling well throughout a strongly run affair, he readily pulled clear in the latter stages.

Unsurprisingly, given the swift nature of the gallop, the overall speed figure worked out very favourable and with the seventh horse home, Ballybeg (beaten 42 lengths), going on to pay a handsome complement to the form next time, hope is high the eight-year-old can follow suit.

Dargiannini - 1pt @ 3/1

15:00 Kelso

SANTOS BLUE (best price 3/1) seems to be progressing at a rapid rate of knots and even though the handicapper is doing his best to keep up with him, Dan Skelton’s gelding may well have the last laugh for the third time on the spin.

Having shown only moderate form in the early part of the season, connections decided to refit the son of Blue Bresil with the tongue-tie, which turned out to be an inspired move based on his victory at Wetherby back in December.

Off the track for over a month, he returned to the fray at Chepstow last time out and having been held up way off the pace early, he came through strongly in the latter stages to eventually win going away.

The feature of that performance at the Welsh venue was his excellent numbers both overall and final circuit combined (better than the 2m novice winner Doyen Star) and with him also being the only horse on the card to achieve such a feat from the rear of the field, his effort deserved massively upgrading.

Now he’s found his sweet spot, he remains one to keep onside and he deserved to be played accordingly despite taking on several who have experience of today’s track.

Santos Blue - 1pt

15:10 Navan

COOLMEEN PARK (best price 10/1) might have been a shock 50/1 winner at Thurles last time out but the numbers from that maiden hurdle suggested there was no fluke attached and with the strong possibility of an opening rating of 114 underestimating his true worth, Ellmarie Holden’s gelding rates a decent each-way option at the morning odds.

After finding 2m6f on heavy ground a bridge too far on his rules debut, the son of Walk In The Park faced a totally different examination at the Co Tipperary venue 23 days ago but as it turned out, the decision to drop him back to the minimum trip worked out a treat.

Noted going well throughout, the five-year-old stayed on extremely strongly in the closing stages to gain the day on the climb to the line and with himself and the runner-up (Soldier Solid won since), pulling nicely clear of smart Flat horse Sunchart, the form looks pretty reliable.

On the evidence of that display, it’s fairly conclusive he requires a decent surface to operate at maximum capacity and with today’s extra four furlongs not seen as a negative in any way, his double-figure quotes will hopefully be torn asunder.

Coolmen Park - 0.5pts e/w @ 10/1

15:15 Doncaster

COOPER’S CROSS (best price 7/4) won a good edition of the Skybet Chase in pretty determined fashion and with the form of that well-run affair given a big boost with Cap Du Nord going on to land a big pot two weeks ago, confidence is fairly high Stuart Coltherd’s gelding can follow suit.

A model of consistency since joining the chasing ranks, the eight-year-old had run really well on his two previous starts behind the likes of Brave Seasca and Minella Drama over 2m4f, but equipped with the first-time cheekpieces and upped in trip, he took his game to whole new level on Town Moor.

Very strong when he needed to be in the final half a mile, the son of Getaway should, in theory, be even better suited by today’s extra yardage and with the ground also seen to his advantage, it would be slightly disappointing if this strong-travelling type couldn’t continue his progression.

Coopers Cross - 2pts @ 7/4