At The Races

In a contest where plenty of the runners make their seasonal reappearance, the Irish raider GLENTRUAN is fancied to make full use of his race fitness edge, after producing a solid effort when third at this track a week ago. The six-year-old looks set to be suited by the step up in trip and is favoured ahead of the talented chaser Mister Whitaker, who switches to hurdles on his first run for Donald McCain, while Kayf Hernando is also worthy of respect on his hurdling debut.

• Top Tip: GLENTRUAN (1)
• Watch out for: MISTER WHITAKER (8)

AHOY SENOR produced a major shock when beating the talented Bravemansgame in a Grade One over hurdles at Aintree in April, but there was no denying the style of that success and the front-running six-year-old looks the one to beat now switching to fences. The Dan Skelton-trained Cadzand produced a useful level of form over hurdles and can pose the most serious threat to the selection, while Tupelo Mississippi may do best of the remainder.

• Top Tip: AHOY SENOR (1)
• Watch out for: CADZAND (2)

QUINTA DO MAR was taking on stronger opposition than this when last seen at Cheltenham in April and the Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old is fancied to land his second win over hurdles in a competitive event. The front-running Itsnotyouitsme showed further improvement when scoring at Hexham in June and looks a danger as he seeks a hat-trick of wins, while Onehundredpercent remains unexposed for this yard and cannot be discounted.

• Top Tip: QUINTA DO MAR (2)
• Watch out for: ITSNOTYOUITSME (1)

Returning from a summer break, preference is for SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, who missed an engagement here last week. Lucinda Russel's charge has won fresh in the past and was an impressive winner at Hexham on his last start, for which a 6lb rise may not be enough to halt his progression. Following a promising debut over the larger obstacles at Worcester last month, proven stayer Present Chief may pose the biggest threat. Oscar Montel is not out of things either with the step up in trip a major plus.

• Top Tip: SPEAK OF THE DEVIL (5)
• Watch out for: PRESENT CHIEF (2)

In a competitive field where the majority of runners are making their seasonal reappearance, the suggestion is the race-fit PALIXANDRE, who got off the mark over fences at Uttoxeter last month. The seven-year-old wasn't winning out of turn and now that the penny has dropped, there should be plenty more to come from the selection. The Paddy Pie was consistent last season and he remains well-handicapped, while Sambezi is of interest on his chase debut. C&D winner Well Above Par can also get involved.

• Top Tip: PALIXANDRE (10)
• Watch out for: SAMBEZI (2)

RADDLE AND HUM appears to have improved for a wind operation earlier in the year judging by her success at Market Rasen last time and she merits plenty of respect off just a 4lb higher mark this afternoon. Elusive Red is 2lb out of the handicap but he should not be underestimated having been narrowly denied at Hexham at the beginning of the month. Others to note are On Springs and Contrebasse.

• Top Tip: RADDLE AND HUM (4)
• Watch out for: ELUSIVE RED (12)

In an open event a chance can be taken with VERY PATIENT, who was far from disgraced when filling third place on his handicap debut at Hexham last time out in March. Lissen To The Lady is a player based on her victory at Kelso a couple of starts ago, while Mcgarry edges out Arcanja to be the pick of the remainder.

• Top Tip: VERY PATIENT (1)
• Watch out for: LISSEN TO THE LADY (6)