12:40 Ascot

Leg 1 Selections: Wrappedupinmay

The Paul Nicholls-trained WRAPPEDUPINMAY has proved expensive to follow over hurdles since making a winning debut, but he’s still made the frame in both his hurdle starts, and he looks very well treated off a mark of 118 on his handicap debut. He should be difficult to beat in the opener.

13:15 Ascot

Leg 2 Selections: Solo, Straw Fan Jack, Excello

SOLO ran a good race when second on his reappearance to the race-fit Elixir de Nutz in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. The winner has won again since, and he should go one better. STRAW FAN JACK was last seen finishing second in a Grade 2 race on his return and should go well. EXCELLO displayed useful form when trained in France and is of interest on his stable debut for Nicky Henderson.

13:50 Ascot

Leg 3 Selections: Harper’s Brook, Shan Blue

HARPER’S BROOK should fare a lot better than when down the field in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his return last month. He will find this easier and will appreciate the drop in distance. I think he’s got a serious chance. SHAN BLUE has failed to complete his last three starts, but he’s become very well handicapped and could bounce back to form in first-time cheekpieces.

14:25 Ascot

Leg 4 Selections: Paisley Park, West Balboa

PAISLEY PARK has won this three times and ran a good race in defeat when going down by a head to Dashel Drasher in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury earlier this month. He isn’t getting any younger, but he has the class to beat these. I wouldn’t rule out WEST BALBOA, who has yet to finish out of the top two and beat two very good horses on her return. She is a very interesting runner, taking on the boys with improvement on the cards.

15:00 Ascot

Leg 5 Selections: Blackjack Magic, Flegmatik

BLACKJACK MAGIC made it three wins from five starts in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, where he jumped exceptionally well and beat the likes of Threeunderthrufive and Frodon very comfortably. The eight-year-old’s positive and attacking style of racing should make him difficult to beat. FLEGMATIK is 1Ib lower than when he was second last time, and while he remains well above his last winning mark, he should be thereabouts.

15:35 Ascot

Leg 6 Selections: Hansard, Luccia

HANSARD ran really well when second to Rubaud in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle on his return and defied a big weight to take a hot Newbury handicap three weeks ago under this rider. This five-year-old is a very good horse and has more to come. A 4Ib rise seems really lenient on the balance of that display last time, and therefore another bold bid looks firmly on the cards, while LUCCIA has acquitted herself very well in defeat in some stiff tasks, including in Grade 2 and Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, and looks well handicapped.