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12.30 - Play Coral 'Racing Super Series' For Free Maiden Hurdle (2m3½f)
Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power bagged this contest a year ago with Harry Senior. They team up here with No Hubs No Hoobs. He wasn't unfancied at 10/1 on debut last month for an Ascot bumper but he struggled from a long way out and must improve markedly going over flights.
Pozo Emery shaped nicely in a bumper at Newton Abbot in the autumn and is one to take note of in the betting for Paul Nicholls' team now but the one that makes most appeal on paper is GLADIATEUR ALLEN for owner/trainer Jane Williams.
He chased home Pat's Fancy at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) on his first start last month and might well have got the verdict, had he not landed awkwardly at the second-last flight. The front pair were clear of the remainder and the winner has since finished second in a Grade 2 Cheltenham novice event. With Chester Williams taking 5lb off, Gladiateur Allen looks to be worth following.
1.05 - Watch Racing For Free At Coral Handicap Chase (2m3½f)
Tiquer won this contest a year ago and, as has been relatively normal in his career, missed a chunk of time afterwards. He's not raced since and while he's 5lb higher today, he cannot be dismissed having undergone a wind operation. He'll relish the testing ground. It's likely there are one or two of his younger rivals capable of progressing and taking his mantle however.
My Way has had enough chances to get on the scoresheet but should be suited dropped in trip and run a sound race, while Esprit Du Large at least got around safely at Carlisle last month after falls in the Arkle in March and the Haldon Gold Cup on his comeback. Evan Williams' charge was attempting to give away lots of weight last time and, again, has plenty of burden to carry now. He should be suited up in trip though and is a player.
EQUUS DANCER gets the call after impressing in his wins at Sedgefield last month. He's progressing quickly over fences and commands respect for Peter and Sean Bowen at a meeting which holds pleasant memories for them.
Selection: Equus Dancer
Next Best: Esprit Du Large
1.40 - Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)
Houx Gris looks to continue the trend of this race being won by a French import. His trainer Paul Nicholls has won recent renewals with Adrien Du Pont (2015) and Quel Destin (2018) and appears to have the likely market leader again. He won a three-year-old hurdle at Auteuil in October before transferring to Ditcheat and, clearly, the market will be revealing in regards to his hopes.
Bannister was an easy winner at Southwell (2m, good) in September and has twice shaped with promise since in France, he's a consistent performer and should give his running again, while Honneur D'ajonc can harbour place claims if building on his Exeter run.
ELHAM VALLEY made a fine start to his jumping career this month at Sandown, accounting for some promising rivals, including the re-opposing Yggdrasil in third. Fergal O'Brien's charge had been useful on the level previously and is fancied to build on that initial success. He jumped positively and the fact he did it on a testing surface is another plus-point for him.
2.15 - Coral 'Fail To Finish' Free Bets Handicap Hurdle (2m7½f)
There might have been some fortune in his win at Ffos Las in November, in the margin of victory if not the outcome itself, but EXPLOITEUR showed that it was no fluke when he followed up over C&D three weeks ago under an 8lb penalty. He got to the front soon enough in that four-runner contest and, ideally, might have preferred to be taken into the race for a while longer. Once in front he didn't do a lot, but there was a feeling that he had more to give, were it required.
He's up a further 6lb now but may prove equal to the challenge at hand.
The danger may be Farrants Way, victorious on his first start over hurdles at Hereford in March on soft ground over a similar trip and an excellent third on his return at Sandown this month behind Portrush Ted. He's got ability and on only his second start in a handicap is feared from an unchanged mark of 127. He may turn around Sandown form with Storm Arising, Paul Nicholls' charge having finished one place and just less than three lengths in front of him in that contest.
2.50 - Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3, 3m6½f)
Secret Reprieve beat The Two Amigos by 12 lengths in a trial for this race over shorter here last month on heavy going. He's sure to prove popular for local trainer Evan Williams and seemingly races off a good mark if his stamina lasts out. He's short in the betting however with that question mark to answer.
Paul Nicholls saddles both Truckers Lodge and Yala Enki, who were second and third respectively 12 months ago, and they've got their merits again while Ramses De Teillee and Springfield Fox are others to consider closely.
CHRISTMAS IN APRIL gets the nod on the strength of his proven stamina. He repeatedly has run well at this sort of marathon distance, winning the Sussex National at Plumpton in January, and also has a runner-up finish at this track on his CV. His trainer Colin Tizzard knows what is needed for this gruelling contest and, after a pleasing comeback second in the Southern National at Fontwell last month, he should be spot on for today's assignment. He's more likely to be finding when plenty of these rivals are crying 'enough'.
3.25 - Coral 'Fail To Finish' Free Bets Novices' Hurdle (2m)
Second spot on debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) was a good effort from GOWEL ROAD last month. He briefly looked to have got odds-on favourite and well-thought-of Bear Ghylls in trouble, going down just over a length in the end. That rival is 3-3 under rules and, with normal improvement expected, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge should prove hard to topple here under son Sam.
Previous course and distance winner The Grey Falco rates a danger coming back to this venue, while Diamon Des Flos needs to settle better than was the case on debut in a bumper at Newbury but he's a brother to Vision Des Flos and could have plenty more to say for himself once the obstacles are in his path.
3.55 - Coral Supporting Prostate Cancer Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m7½f)
Highland Hunter makes his first start over fences for Paul Nicholls and arrives on the back of a solid Haydock run last month. Testing ground won't be a worry for him and he's one to note in the betting with Lorcan Williams easing the burden of weight he carries.
Last time out winner Volcano and Supreme Escape are both on the shortlist. The latter was successful here over 2m3f earlier in the month but has also won at this distance.
Four-time hurdles winner EVA'S OSKAR gained two of his successes in that sphere over this distance around here, including on heavy ground. He appeared to need the run at Exeter (3m, soft) last month on his first start over fences having been off 302 days. He jumped mostly well in that contest and can build on that now. If he proves as effective over fences as he was jumping flights, Tim Vaughan's challenger almost certainly has the ability to best these rivals.
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