13:55 Tipperary

Simply Sideways 8/1 (0.5pt ew) 

Tim Doyle trained SIMPLY SIDEWAYS (best priced at 8/1) won this race last season and she should hold strong claims off only a 2lb higher mark. The seven-year-old won this race by 2 ¾ lengths last year off a mark of 81 before winning at Gowran Park in May off a mark of 85.

Following four below par efforts off higher marks on faster ground, Simply Sideways has now dropped down to a mark of 83 and most interestingly should be suited by the overnight rainfall. Regular jockey Wayne Hassett once again claims 5lbs and he looks sure to be involved in the finish. 

15:00 Uttoxeter

Rare Edition 4/1 (1pt) 

Despite the presence of only four runners, this is a high class novice chase and I am siding with RARE EDITION (best priced at 4/1) who should be better suited to conditions than his main market rivals L’Eau du Sud and Uncle Bert. Both of those rivals will be better suited by soft or heavy ground whereas the selection has excelled on faster ground at both Doncaster and Kempton in the past. 

Rare Edition is only rated 1lb inferior over hurdles to L’Eau du Sud who was disappointing on his only previous run on this ground and the selection also has the benefit of two runs in point-to-points. David Bass and Charlie Longsdon have combined well so far this season and Rare Edition should be able to make a winning chasing debut. 

13:52 Pontefract

Monday 1:52 Pontefract- Alafdhal 4/1 (1pt)

This looks a competitive 0-68 handicap but preference goes to ALAFDHAL (forecast to be priced at 4/1) who boasts an impressive course and distance record. The Phil McEntee trained six-year-old won in April over this course and distance on soft ground off a mark of 67 before finishing a close 2nd last month off a mark of 59. 

Alafdhal once again finished 2nd beaten only ½ length last time at Catterick off this mark of 60 on soft ground and the combination of soft ground and the return to Pontefract should mean that he is hard to beat with Josephine Gordon taking back over on board.