14:40 Cheltenham

I know there are some nice horses lining up for this so I don’t expect it to be easy by any means but I can’t get away from ED KEEPER after that impressive Newbury win. He relished going up in trip on that occasion and stayed on strongly to fend off another promising horse in Hoe Joly Smoke. The field was well strung out in behind and the sixth Rambo T has come out and won easily since to give the form some substance. He remains unexposed as a stayer so I don’t expect a 9lb rise to anchor him. Butch has won 3 of his last 4 and showed a good attitude to prevail at Cheltenham when last seen so could be the danger. Springwell Bay is another one on an upward curve so should at least get competitive.

15:10 Newcastle

I’m siding with the most unexposed horse in the race here in the shape of TO CATCH A THIEF. This son of Cracksman has won his last two and impressed again beating Sir Busker on handicap debut over C&D last month. His form is stacking up and a 6lb rise doesn’t look enough to anchor him. He is completely unexposed over this trip and will likely get further too. Penzance is another one going the right way having won his last two. If he transfers that form from Chelmsford to this track then he will be the danger but that is a slight question mark and he is 9lb higher now. Sir Busker carries top-weight but is another one that should be ruled out and obviously has form that ties in with the favourite.