14:33 Tramore

A big field but not too many obvious candidates jumping off the page, so it’s best to keep things simple with course specialist MATA MATUTA (best price 3-1). 

A winner over fences here two starts ago, she made a brave bid to follow up at Downpatrick back over hurdles last time out but the combination of bumping into the well handicapped Petrol Head and 2m2f on a stiff track ultimately led to her downfall and she could only manage third, albeit a respectable one at that. 

Returning to her happy hunting ground where her course stats read 33314522561, the eight-year-old mare is also reunited with Jordan Gainford, who has got the best tune out of her over the years, and with a typically positive ride likely, she is strongly fancied to add to superb record at the Waterford venue. 

18:15 Pontefract

VANTHEMAN (NAP) (best price 9-4) ultimately ran out a decisive winner of a competitive C&D handicap a month ago and the progressive three-year-old is fancied to continue his climb through the ranks on his return to the Yorkshire venue. 

Although far from disgraced in the hugely competitive Palace of Holyrood Handicap at Royal Ascot (beaten just over three lengths), he didn’t quite live up to market expectations (well-backed 9-1 chance), but with his sights significantly lowered here next time out, he duly made amends in convincing fashion. 

One of only two three-year-olds against a field of experienced handicap sprinters, the son of Invincible Army raced just off the speed in the early exchanges and despite looking momentarily in trouble two furlongs out, he came through strongest of all to justify 13-8 favouritism. 

Clocking a smart speed figure that day, he proved that a stiff five furlongs is probably minimum to his requirements and with the strong possibility of a decent pace on again this afternoon courtesy of Curious Rover being in the line-up, this sturdily built gelding should have the race run to suit.