3:40 Newmarket- Fifth Column 8/1 (1pt)

Tipped antepost on Tuesday 23rd September.

5:15 Ripon- Merrijig 6/1 (0.5pt ew)

The John Berry trained MERRIJIG (best priced at 6/1) won this race last season by 10 lengths off a 4lb lower mark and he looks overpriced in his repeat bid. The handicapper raised the seven-year-old 7lbs for his victory in this race last year but he has gradually dropped back down to ratings and is now rated 65.

Merrijig ran better when 4th beaten only three lengths in first-time blinkers last time at Chester and those are retained for this race. He gets in here off a low weight with Taryn Langley taking off a further 5lbs and he should hold strong claims back at this track.

18:00 Southwell

18:00 Southwell- Spirit Lead Me 2/1 (1pt)

SPIRIT LEAD ME (best priced at 2/1) landed a gamble for connections on Wednesday and he should be able to follow up under a 6lb penalty. The Richard Hughes trained gelding had previously won by four lengths off a mark of 65 in October before struggling off higher marks since.

Fitted with first-time cheekpieces after a 50 day break, Spirit Lead Me won comfortably at Kempton by three lengths which will no doubt earn him more than a 6lb rise when re-assessed by the handicapper. Donagh Murphy takes off 7lbs to negate the penalty and he should prove hard to beat off top weight.