14.40 Taunton – Montestrel (50/1 Triumph Hurdle), 6/4 today

Montestrel will have to leave his last run well behind him to make it to Prestbury Park next month, and the market suggests that he is expected to. Having beaten the smart Quel Destin on debut, that form was reversed a month later in November when failing to justify favouritism when not beating a horse home at Cheltenham. After some time off the track, connections will hope for a run more akin to that first one as he stakes a claim for the Triumph.

14.55 Wetherby – Coolanly (50/1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle), 1/2 today

An interesting Cheltenham prospect given that he finished 12th in the same race last year on just his second start over hurdles, Coolanly has run behind, and ahead, of some smart horses in his short career. The 4l defeat behind Vinndication before last year’s Festival has improved with age, whilst it was no shame to find the likes of Champ and Lalor too strong. His career best, beating Pym back in November, came at Cheltenham so he looks a big price at 50/1 with the experience now under his belt.

17.05 Wetherby – Zoutoise (40/1 Champion Bumper), 2/1 today

Picking the winner of the Champion Bumper is always a tough ask, and Tom George’s Zoutise will surely have to get his second win form as many starts to feature prominently in the reckoning. He romped home on debut last month, finishing six lengths clear of the fancied favourite Fourshoes. Today she runs under penalty and will have to beat the well backed Legends Ryde to prove her Cheltenham credentials.