At The Races

OHIO GOLD turned in a slightly disappointing effort when seventh in the Lanzarote Hurdle last month but should take plenty of beating now returned to novice company, despite the fact he gives weight away all around under his penalty. Merry King showed improved form over a similar trip when stepped up beyond 2m for the first time at Leicester last month and looks the main threat, while a chance is also given to December course (2m) winner Jumps Road, who failed to give his true running when last sighted at Warwick.

• Top Tip: OHIO GOLD (1)
• Watch out for: MERRY KING (3)

BENHEIR made a winning hurdles debut when hacking up by 22 lengths over C&D last time, in the process confirming his versatility with regards to ground, and is taken to defy his penalty to follow up. Loose Chips posted a career-best effort when scoring over 2m at Towcester last time, shaping as if this longer trip would suit, and appears the main danger. The dropped-in-trip Kilmacowen and Milarrow cannot be left out of calculations either.

• Top Tip: BENHEIR (1)
• Watch out for: LOOSE CHIPS (2)

SPOT THE BALL has been in great shape this season, successfully mixing his hurdling and chasing with a string of consistent efforts in both disciplines. Although second at Towcester last time off 4lb lower, Jonjo O'Neill's representative lost little in defeat behind a winner allowed the run of the race. He pulled six-lengths clear of the remainder and a return to the winner's enclosure could be on the cards. Iona Days and Dermatologiste are respected now dropped in trip.

• Top Tip: SPOT THE BALL (8)
• Watch out for: IONA DAYS (2)

Gentle Bob opened his account over C&D last month and is afforded plenty of respect off 8lb higher but preference is for RIMINI, who posted a career-best effort when second over 2m4f here last time and should appreciate this extra furlong. Douryna was runner-up off this mark at Hereford last time and has place claims along with Crannaghmore Boy, who had the beating of the last-named at Hereford in April but now returns from a break.

• Top Tip: RIMINI (5)
• Watch out for: GENTLE BOB (4)

LUCKY MIX opened her account in a novices' hurdle over the extended 3m at Southwell in April and is entitled to strip fitter for her second at Bangor on her reappearance last month. Now switched to handicaps and dropped in trip, Philip Hobbs' charge is taken to score. Derwen Pryde is respected in her bid for a hat-trick but may have to settle for minor money now up 15lb in the handicap. Stepped up in trip here, Cross The Flags is also considered.

• Top Tip: LUCKY MIX (4)
• Watch out for: CROSS THE FLAGS (2)

Former Henrietta Knight inmate TEDDY'S REFLECTION might be worth chancing on his hunter chase debut. He pulled up when last sighted in the Kim Muir at last year's Cheltenham Festival but has some useful novice form to his name from earlier that season and this sort of test could suit him ideally. Five-time chase winner Sunday City stands out on official figures and should go very close if running up to his best returning from a layoff, while Sericina knows what's required here having landed the contest 12 months ago and she is fit from the point-to-point scene.

• Top Tip: TEDDY'S REFLECTION (4)
• Watch out for: SERICINA (6)

ESTEEM has yet to win a race over hurdles but he has struck twice over the larger obstacles of late and competes off just a 7lb higher mark than when landing a 2m novices' handicap chase by 11 lengths at Southwell earlier this week. Umoristic is less exposed and doesn't look badly treated on his handicap introduction but recent Chepstow runner-up Abbi Jicaro rates a bigger threat to the selection.

• Top Tip: ESTEEM (2)
• Watch out for: ABBI JICARO (8)

Rebecca Curtis and Tony McCoy are very much a team to follow in races of this nature and it's not hard to envisage AT FISHERS CROSS following up his debut success for previous connections. The weight penalty will make life tough but this son of Oscar is related to former Champion Bumper winner Rhythm Section and he's considered one to follow. Eleven Fifty Nine lost no caste in defeat when second to Colour Squadron at Chepstow in October and is entitled to have improved again since, while Mister Newby, Little Chip and newcomer Seranwen complete the shortlist.

• Top Tip: AT FISHERS CROSS (1)
• Watch out for: ELEVEN FIFTY NINE (4)