At The Races

DIAMOND LIFE looks the one to be on as Warren Greatrex's gelding made a promising start over timber, albeit when well beaten at Ascot last month. The drop back in trip should suit this son of Silver Patriarch and, having appeared to contest a hot bumper at Taunton on his debut, he is likely to take some stopping here. Elsewhere, a positive market move for the returning Friendship Bay would be of interest, with Billy No Name another for the shortlist.

• Top Tip: DIAMOND LIFE (3)
• Watch out for: BILLY NO NAME (16)

An interesting novices' hurdle for punters to untangle but while Joseph Lister was by no means disgraced in a Grade 2 handicap at Ascot last month, preference is for MR HOOPER. Victor Dartnall has his horses in fine form and his son of Karinga Bay was mightily impressive when landing a Chepstow bumper in March last year. He hasn't been seen since but this wouldn't be a major worry and the form of that debut win is working out nicely. Di Kaprio makes most appeal of the others.

• Top Tip: MR HOOPER (9)
• Watch out for: JOSEPH LISTER (2)

While this looks a tough ask at the top of the weights, it is interesting that Watergate is stepped back up in trip but FLEUR DE VASSY gets the nod on the back of her effort over this trip at Ffos Las last time. Although a beaten favourite on that occasion, she certainly displayed improvement on just her second run for Tom Symonds and, off just a 2lb higher mark, she is worth another look. Of the others, Identimin makes most appeal.

• Top Tip: FLEUR DE VASSY (7)
• Watch out for: WATERGATE (1)

Only Hope is becoming increasingly frustrating to follow and, for that reason, LILAC BELLE looks the most likely in this handicap contest. Having netted in a similar race last time out, the six-year-old mare is forced to carry a 7lb penalty but is due to go up a further 3lb in future races and may just have another big run up her sleeve. Tuscany Star has threatened and could be on offer at a tempting price, while Munich is another to take seriously off what looks a feasible mark of 76.

• Top Tip: LILAC BELLE (5)
• Watch out for: MUNICH (8)

Seamus Mullins' Time To Think has looked a rejuvenated mare this term and warrants the utmost respect in the build up to this but while Run To Fly also represents a model of consistency for Peter Bowen, TARQUINIUS is preferred. Charlie Mann's gelded son of Turgeon looked right back to his best when runner-up off this mark at Plumpton last month. The once 120-rated chaser has now come down to a career low mark and, with Gavin Sheehan taking off 10lb in the plate, a return to the winning enclosure could be on the cards.

• Top Tip: TARQUINIUS (9)
• Watch out for: TIME TO THINK (2)

Val Mondo boasts good form on the level in Germany and appeared to be coming to himself over timber when runner-up on his handicap debut at Taunton last month but it might be worth siding with the C&D winner WELL GREEN. Seamus Mullins' gelding showed his best form when dropped back to this trip over a month ago and is expected to have come on for the run having spent a whopping 970-days off the track prior. Of the others, Just Beware is a course winner and looks good value at the forecast prices.

• Top Tip: WELL GREEN (7)
• Watch out for: VAL MONDO (2)

The bumper is taken to go the way of ILEWIN DUNDEE. The six-year-old went agonisingly close to landing a similar event here in November last year when running on well to finish a neck second and, with improvement forthcoming, this looks an ideal opportunity for him to open his account. Elsewhere, Admiral Boom arrives with plenty of experience under his belt and must be considered a threat along with the well-bred newcomer Royal Native.

• Top Tip: ILEWIN DUNDEE (2)
• Watch out for: ROYAL NATIVE (11)