14:25 Brighton

This 0-75 apprentice handicap is full of course winners but preference goes to UNCLE DICK (best priced at 4/1) who has won his previous four starts at this venue. The Eve Johnson Houghton trained six-year-old has won four times over a mile here off marks of 57, 59, 59 and 56 including only ten days ago when a comfortable three length winner. 
This drop in trip to 7f is a slight question mark for Uncle Dick and he does also have an option over a mile tomorrow here but if he is allowed to take his chance then he should prove hard to beat off a mark of 63. 
 
Uncle Dick - 1pt

15:40 Ounchestown

Slade Steel is a worthy favourite following his victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but I am willing to take a chance on ILE ATLANTIQUE (best priced at 16/1) back down in trip. The six-year-old appears to be the stable third string according to the market but brings in a different line of form having finished placed behind stablemates Readin Tommy Wrong and Ballyburn twice this season. 
Ile Atlantique has been held up on his previous two starts which hasn’t suited him and I expect him to ridden with much more positive tactics back down in trip to 2 miles. His resolution in a finish is a slight concern as he has been beaten less than a length three times but I could see him putting in a career best effort.  
 
Ile Atlantique - 0.5pts e/w

18:00 Punchestown

The three horses at the top of the market Spillane’s Tower, Embassy Gardens and MONTY’S STAR (best priced at 9/4) all have an official rating of 150 but the horse who looks open to the most amount of progress appears to be is the Henry De Bromhead trained charge. The lightly raced seven-year-old finished 3rd over an inadequate 2m5½f on his chasing debut behind Corbetts Cross before beating the reopposing Three Card Brag by 5 ½ lengths over 3 miles here in December.

Monty’s Star was kept fresh for the Cheltenham festival when he finished 2nd behind Fact To File with the pair pulling 2 ½ lengths clear of the third. A repeat of that effort should prove good enough to win this and he is expected to gain a much deserved Grade 1 success. 

Monty's Star - 1pt