14:10 Wincanton

Final Straw - 1pt

Best odds of 13/8 available at William Hill during publishing.

The Nicky Henderson trained FINAL STRAW (best priced at 13/8) is unbeaten in his two starts in handicaps and should hold strong claims of completing a hat-trick of victories. The five-year-old finished well beaten in maiden hurdles over 2 miles and 2m4f but relished the step up in trip to 3 miles on his handicap debut when also fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

Final Straw won off the same mark a week later under this jockey by 7 ½ lengths at Plumpton and now runs here off a 7lb higher mark. He is clearly progressive and should be able to make it 3/3 since running in handicaps, up in trip and the application of cheekpieces.

15:10 Wincanton

Special John - 1pt

Best odds of 6/5 available at Betfred during publishing.

SPECIAL JOHN (best priced at 6/5) was backed on his stable debut for Sam Thomas last time but was forced to work hard for his short head victory that day. The six-year-old won at Exeter off a mark of 93 and has been raised 7lbs for that effort with the pair pulling eight lengths clear of the third.

That was Special John’s chasing debut after 193 days off the track and he is expected to improve for that effort. This further step up in trip to 3m2½f should suit and he is expected to make it 2/2 for these connections.

19:00 Chelmsford

Due Date - 1pt

Best odds of 7/1 available at William Hill while publishing.

The Charlie Wallis trained DUE DATE (best priced at 7/1) has won his previous three starts and despite now stepping up in grade, he is clearly thriving and looks overpriced. The five-year-old won over this course and distance in September by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 55 before following up at Yarmouth on his next start by less than a length off a mark of 59.

Due Date then won again over this course and distance at the end of October off a mark of 62 by 1 ½ lengths and runs here off a 5lb higher mark. He now steps up in grade to this Class 5 0-70 handicap but looks overpriced against this opposition.