14:05 Taunton

2:05 Taunton – BELOW THE RADAR – 1pt win

Best odds of 3/1 available at time of publishing.

Smugglers Haven is respected following her hard-fought victory at Cheltenham last time, but preference instead goes to BELOW THE RADAR (best priced at 5/2) who makes his chasing debut in this race. The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old had strong form at Uttoxeter last season behind both Hidden History and Wellington Arch and looked in need of his reappearance when 3rd at Kempton a month ago.

Given his frame and previous PTP experience, Below The Radar should improve for going chasing and looks the one to beat off a mark of 118.

14:55 Warwick

2:55 Warwick – HAUT FOLIN – 1pt win 

Best odds of 8/1 available at time of publishing.

The Venetia Williams stable are still yet to truly get going this season, but HAUT FOLIN (best priced at 8/1) has a good record fresh and can hopefully make a winning reappearance. The eight-year-old won on his reappearance in 2023 after a 238-day break when a 7½-length winner off a mark of 104.

Last year Haut Folin finished 2nd, beaten only ½ length on his reappearance after a 227-day break off a mark of 100, before finishing runner-up on his next start off the same mark. He pulled up on his final three starts last season but now returns off a reduced mark of 99. The 279-day break is no concern and he should outrun his odds.

15:35 Taunton

3:35 Taunton – HARDY BUCK – 1pt win

Best odds of 9/4 available at time of publishing.

HARDY BUCK (best priced at 9/4) was an impressive seven-length winner on his stable debut for Max Comley last time and gets to run here off the same mark. The seven-year-old previously had a record of 0-28 in his career but was a comfortable winner when re-fitted with cheekpieces and upped in trip to 2m7f last time at Exeter.

The handicapper has raised Hardy Buck 7lb for that success, but he instead gets to run here off a career-low mark of 74 once again, with Luke Scott now able to claim 3lb. He should be able to cope with this step up in class.