At The Races

There are plenty of exciting prospects on offer and none more so than THE PLAYER QUEEN, who aims to keep her unbeaten record intact on her first start over obstacles. The daughter of Yeats turned over a well-fancied favourite on her latest outing in April and, based on her point-to-point exploits, this transition to hurdling poses few questions. She gets the nod, while Maura Jeanne rates the most immediate danger after showing plenty of promise when second at Perth in June. Fiadh broke her duck at the fourth time of asking and she completes the shortlist.

• Top Tip: THE PLAYER QUEEN (5)
• Watch out for: MAURA JEANNE (7)

SAUCE OF LIFE went unbeaten in two bumper outings, backing up his debut success at Musselburgh under a penalty at Market Rasen in April, and the six-year-old can reward his handler's patience by scoring on his hurdling bow. Gentleman De Mai filled the runner-up spot in his sole point-to-point behind an exciting individual who is now in the care of Henry de Bromhead and he is entitled to be in the mix. Ugo Du Misselot may benefit from wind surgery and completes the shortlist.

• Top Tip: SAUCE OF LIFE (9)
• Watch out for: GENTLEMAN DE MAI (5)

ANIMORE is progressing nicely over fences and got off the mark in fine style at Hexham earlier in the month. Raised 5lb for that success, there could be more to come from the selection as he looks to continue the excellent recent form of the Iain Jardine stable. Bollingerandkrug makes appeal on his first start over the larger obstacles having won two of his last three over hurdles, while Destiny Is All shaped very well at Uttoxeter back in July. Dorking Boy is not to be underestimated either.

• Top Tip: ANIMORE (5)
• Watch out for: BOLLINGERANDKRUG (4)

In this competitive contest marginal preference goes to I'M ON SNAP, who hit the line with plenty of conviction when fourth at Hereford last time out. She has been dropped 1lb for that effort and may be able to capitalise off that workable mark. Permission Granted took a step in the right direction when third at Perth last month and the nine-year-old is worth considering, while Manetti completes the shortlist on seasonal reappearance.

• Top Tip: I'M ON SNAP (6)
• Watch out for: PERMISSION GRANTED (10)

GREY ATLANTIC WAY was so impressive at Sedgefield recently, clearly appreciating the reapplication of cheekpieces and return to fences. An 8lb rise is unlikely to prevent another bold showing in this. Eagle Ridge must have a good chance on last season's form, while Slainte Mhor is a C&D winner and is race-fit following his Perth exertions last month. Event Of Sivola has an absence to overcome but there were signs of promise towards the back end of last term.

• Top Tip: GREY ATLANTIC WAY (4)
• Watch out for: EAGLE RIDGE (3)

The suggestion is FLOOD DEFENCE, who is taken to get off the mark over hurdles at the 10th attempt. Fit from a few spins on the Flat over the past month, the daughter of Milan was narrowly denied on her last start over the smaller obstacles at Perth, for which a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop her. She can score at the main expense of Get Phar, who was a consistent sort across the water for Eoin Griffin. Killane and Jess's Corner are others that make plenty of appeal.

• Top Tip: FLOOD DEFENCE (4)
• Watch out for: GET PHAR (2)

THE BRAVEST makes plenty of appeal on his handicap debut in this sphere as he receives the juvenile allowance and the step up in trip promises to bring about improvement. Steinkraus was beaten a neck on his most recent start at Carlisle earlier in the month and the six-year-old has to enter the reckoning, while Petite Rhapsody was running his best race for a while when falling two out at Perth and a repeat of that gives him every chance.

• Top Tip: THE BRAVEST (8)
• Watch out for: STEINKRAUS (1)

Rose Of Siena is related to the Grade 1-winning hurdler Iktitaf and she demands the utmost respect on racecourse debut with the in-form Brian Hughes in the saddle. However, experience may be able to pay dividends for FATHERS ADVICE, who did the best of his work late on when second over C&D in May. He gets the nod to build on that performance and strike at the second time of asking, while Jack Of All Shapes completes the shortlist.

• Top Tip: FATHERS ADVICE (6)
• Watch out for: ROSE OF SIENA (13)