15:05 Whetherby

Ralph Beckett has started the season in good form with a 30% strike rate in the past fortnight and CRESTA DE VEGA could give him another winner at Wetherby on Sunday. This son of Lope De Vega was a big eye-catcher missing just a neck on return back in January. He was then upped in trip for handicap debut and was heavily backed but did too much in the race and backed out of it in the closing stages for fifth.

Back down to 7f here should help and off the same mark I think we’ll see a much more polished performance now. Mahanakhon was only fourth at Redcar on return but he should strip a lot fitter now and he might emerge as the main danger. Westernesse was a very consistent performer last year and now trained by David O’Meara could be another one with more to come so not dismissed lightly.

16:05 Musselburgh

Another tricky race where any of three or four could win but I do like the chances of MYCONIAN for Amy Murphy. He made a winning start over in France and really knuckled down well that day. He looked potentially vulnerable from The Fixer but seemed to relish the fight and forged clear again at the line. That was in testing ground so if handling this better surface should have a great chance to make it 2-2. East Bank also made a bright start winning on debut at Beverley and could be the danger.

That did come just 11 days ago though so he needs to handle the quick turnaround. Love Billy Boy is an intriguing debutant for Richard Hannon but unless the market speaks significantly for him I think he’ll do better for the experience. Blue Prince shaped with promise in a race working out well here on debut so is another one to note.