13:50 Wetherby

LUCCIA might be short odds, but for multiple purposes, I cannot see past her. She’s undoubtedly the class act in the field and finished a very good second in this race twelve months ago. 

Her third-place finishes in the Greatwood Hurdle and Champion Hurdle are quality pieces of form, along with her victory in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot. 

She concluded her campaign with an excellent fourth in the Aintree Hurdle, and given none of her rivals have the same level of form, she can get her season off to the perfect start.

14:05 Ascot

It’s been a long time since SAINT SEGAL last got his head in front, but the six-year-old has often threatened to win a decent pot over fences and shaped encouragingly when fourth on his seasonal reappearance last time out.

That was his first run since wind surgery, and his two previous starts over C&D have been very good. In the first of those, he was third behind the 150+ rated Boothill and First Flow in this race last year and was then set to beat the former until crashing out at the final fence.

He’s a pound lower in the handicap now and is faced with his optimum conditions. Jane Williams has clearly unearthed this race has his main early-season target and the race will be run to suit, so off a really handy mark, he appeals the most to me.