13:10 Cheltenham

Gavin Cromwell landed this prize with a progressive type from modest beginnings and in the shape of FATHOM TWO (best price 8/1), the Co Meath handler has a decent chance of repeating the dose a year on.

A convincing winner of a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick two starts ago, the six-year-old returned to the same C&D a month later strongly fancied to follow up and while he ended up running more than respectably, he left the impression it was an opportunity that slipped through his fingers.

In what turned out to be a much more tactical affair than the one previously, he rather got caught out in the dash to the line after crucial mistake at the last but at least it was a performance that suggested he remains in good form.

Up to a trip ad track that should suit in equal measures, the son of Court Cave looks one of the more unexposed and intriguing runners in the field.

Another Irish trainer who likes a plan id Henry De Bromhead and he looks to have targeted GENTLE AND KIND (best price 15-2) on the basis she hasn’t run again since landing a maiden hurdle at Tramore back in August.

Strong at the finish that day, the daughter of Well Chosen clocked a smart time for a race of its kind and with the form of the race working out well since, it’s easy to come to the conclusion she appears well treated off a mark of 117 considering the third home, Reverend Hubert now sits on a perch of 134 after finishing behind Butch in a Class novice event here last time.

Fathom Two - 1pt e/w
Gentle And Kind - 1pt e/w

13:45 Cheltenham

TRIPLE TRADE (best price 9/2) did extremely well to get within hailing distance of the more prominently ridden Dancing On My Own over the C&D at the last meeting and with today’s softer ground likely to ensure Joe Tizzard’s gelding isn’t as far behind at the top of the hill this time, he is fancied to go one place better on his return visit.

Having his first attempt at Prestbury Park 20 days ago, the son of Norse Dancer lost his place down the back straight to such a degree he found himself with fresh air behind him on the run down to three out but from that juncture onwards, he made up a huge amount of ground on the main players in the final half a mile and by the time he’d hit the line, he managed to get withing two lengths of the eventual winner.

A dual winner over further on his final two starts last season, it’s clear that the minimum trip is the bottom end of the seven-year-old’s stamina spectrum but with today’s conditions likely to mean there is more emphasis on seeing out the stiff two miles well, he can once again come into his own at the business end.

Triple Trade - 1pt e/w

16:05 Cheltenham

Once again, the Irish raiders look to have a strong hand in this concluding handicap and of the of the nine, SHOWMAN (best price 17/2) and SEQUOIASPIRIT (best price 20/1) make the most appeal at the morning odds.

The former arrives here having just narrowly failed to get the better of the well-regarded Conyers Hill in a competitive heat at Cork last time out and with the pair nicely clear of the rest, the form looks decent in the context of today’s race. Prior to that slightly unlucky effort, Peter Fahey’s inmate had created a favourable impression when getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking in a useful maiden hurdle at Roscommon and with the runner-up going on to boost that form line since, everything adds up for a positive display from this improving type.

The latter has yet to win a race over hurdles in 11 starts but his latest effort at Listowel suggest he surely won’t be too long in laying that ghost to rest. Despite racing around the inside on the slowest ground at the Co Kerry venue, he kept on well to finish a close-up fifth a very strong handicap and with the third-placed horses, Buddy One, given a positive look to the form, A repeat of something similar is likely to see Ray Hackett’s gelding easily outrun his odds.

Showman - 0.5pts e/w
Sequoiasporit - 0.5pts e/w

19:00 Wolverhampton

SWING TO THE STARS (best price 3/1) has still to register her first success after nine starts but there have been more positive signs of late that her winning turn isn’t too far away and, in a race where her all-weather form stacks up as well as any, Ian Williams’ mare can finally break her duck.

The daughter of Sea The Stars first gave out signals she was a winner waiting to happen when not getting the clearest of runs in the latter stages of a well run contest at Chelmsford two starts ago and on her return to the Essex venue a week later, she was noted going particularly strongly on the home turn when the race had to voided due to a stricken horse at the winning post.

Whether she would have won for certain is hard to say but given the way she was travelling suggested she would have certainly been involved in the finish and providing David Probert can get her to switch off just in behind the pace early, the lightly raced four-year-old is likely to have a big say in the outcome.

Swing To The Stars - 1pt