Today’s Top Tips

YOU DID KNOW

Paul Nicholls boasts an impressive 47% strike-rate (+£13.86 level stakes profit) with his hurdle runners at this venue over the last five seasons. The Ditcheat handler saddles Killaloan (2.00) over the smaller obstacles this afternoon.

1 RACE

In this fascinating contest it may pay dividends to side with OUR CHAMP, who has shown plenty of promise on his two outings over hurdles and rates a big player with improvement forthcoming. Peace Of Rome is another to consider for a powerful stable as he shaped encouragingly in bumpers and is likely to have been well schooled ahead of his hurdles bow. Tea And Chats is also of interest. WIN: OUR CHAMP; DANGER: Peace Of Rome

2 RACE

Despite failing to justify favouritism at Huntingdon last time, it would be no surprise to see ART OF ILLUSION bounce back off 1lb lower. The Warren Greatrex-trained gelding remains unexposed over fences and he may relish this step back in trip. Old Painless cost 50,000 pounds last year and may be able to take a step forward after a respectable effort over hurdles at Market Rasen on his latest outing, while Stanley Pincombe completes the shortlist. WIN: ART OF ILLUSION; DANGER: Old Painless

3 RACE

WILL VICTORY emphatically dismissed her rivals at Sedgefield last time, putting seven lengths between herself and her next best rival. Despite making a mistake at the final obstacle, the Harry Fry-trained mare comfortably got the better of her opponents and can continue her ascendancy off 9lb higher. Sashenka gave a good account to finish second when last seen over hurdles and warrants interest, while Midnight Mary is another to consider. WIN: WILL VICTORY; DANGER: Sashenka

Ebonello landed a mares’ contest at Wincanton last month and, with improvement likely, she ranks amongst the leading contenders here. However, preference is for GETAWAY DRUMLEE. Ben Pauling’s charge struggled in Graded company last time, but he won well at Hereford on his penultimate outing and rates the one to beat under a penalty. Diamond Egg landed a bumper at Huntingdon in May and is an interesting contender on his first start over timber. WIN: GETAWAY DRUMLEE; DANGER: Ebonello

4 RACE

5 RACE

BADDESLEY was a comfortable winner over C&D last month and, raised just 4lb in the handicap, Chris Gordon’s charge could repeat the dose. Northern Poet defied a 624-day absence to score here last time and a similar performance would bring the son of Yeats firmly into the reckoning, along with recent Hereford scorer Zestful Hope. Le Patron struck over hurdles when trained in France and he’s an interesting recruit to the Gary Moore team. WIN: BADDESLEY; DANGER: Northern Poet

Local trainer Gary Moore won this race in 2013 and 2020 and will hope to strike again with OZZIE MAN. He has won both chase starts to date and a further 6lb rise might not be enough to anchor him. Poldark Cross, who was in the process of running a decent race when falling two out at Ffos Las, heads the list of dangers from Enormouse, who is unexposed over fences. WIN: OZZIE MAN; DANGER: Poldark Cross

6 RACE

7 RACE

He Knows Better ran a promising race when coming home third last month at Chepstow and if he can build on that then he may well get involved in the finish. Batwomen caught the eye when third in a Ballingarry point-to-point in May and could be a useful recruit, along with CAPTAIN TEAGUE, an easy eight-length winner at Knockanard in February and all set to go well on his first start for Paul Nicholls. WIN: CAPTAIN TEAGUE; DANGER: He Knows Better

PLACEPOT

toteplacepot suggestions: (1) 8 & 9 (2) 1 & 2 (3) 2 & 3 (4) 1 & 6 (5) 6 & 5 (6) 7 & 6