TIME TO GET UP (3.35) can rise to the challenge once again in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter.
Jonjo O’Neill’s chaser showed class and guts to down Mighty Thunder in this marathon last season.
The runner-up showed the strength of that form when landing the Scottish equivalent a month later.
The nine-year-old ran fairly well over 2m 5f on his comeback in the Sefton at Aintree.
He improved for the return to 3m 4f when third to The Galloping Bear in the Haydock National Trial.
The gelding should be primed so he can take advantage of a kind mark for the second year running.
PULLING STUMPS (1.50) can hit his rivals for six in the Optimum Experience
Handicap Hurdle.
Phillip Hobbs’ horse caught the eye when a staying-on third behind Jet Plane over 2m 5f at Ludlow.
The gelding built on that effort when hammering Robin Des Fox over three miles at the same venue.
The five-year-old is nicely unexposed as a stayer so he can deny a strong field for his thriving trainer.
FUJI FLIGHT (2.25) can extend Venetia Williams’ superb run in the Trinity Novices’ Handicap Chase.
The gelding left some tepid efforts behind when routing Southern Sam in decent event at Hereford.
He stayed upwardly mobile when decisively defeating Major Dundee in better company at Newbury.
The seven-year-old is open to plenty of progress so he can defy a 5lb hike under skilled Lucy Turner.
BEAUPORT (3.00) can shade the Optimum Pay Handicap Hurdle for in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies.
The six-year-old was unlucky to encounter well-treated superstar Dashel Drasher at Newbury.
The gelding ran another stormer when just denied by Green Book over three miles at Sandown.
The son of Califet still lurks on an attractive mark so he can bag a well-deserved win down in trip.
BRANSON MISSOURI (4.10) can hand Harry Dunlop a rare jumps success in the mares’ hurdle. The six-year-old returned to form when giving No No Tonic most resistance at Wincanton.
The daughter of Fame And Glory is back on a winning mark so she can resume winning ways.
Tom George is flying at the moment so I’m on COUPDEBOL (4.45) in the Weston Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old recorded a career best over fences when thrashing Daranova at Warwick.
The grey has a bright future in this sphere so he can defy a perfectly reasonable 8lb penalty.
CERTAINLY RED (1.30) looks hot in the Virgin Bet For Winners Handicap Chase at Kempton.
Lydia Richards’ horse was a respectable second to Danny Kirwan on his fencing bow at Wincanton. He then ran better than the bare result when fourth behind Killer Kane over course and distance.
That was a pretty strong contest so the eight-year-old can open his account slightly down in class.
ROCKSTAR RONNIE (2.05) can kick off a profitable spell for Dan Skelton in the novices’ chase.
The gelding enjoyed his first win over fences when bolting up from Due Reward over 2m 2f here.
The seven-year-old looked even better when crushing Atholl Street over the same track and trip.
There is plenty more to come from this pacey type who can complete a hat-trick over two miles.
The top trainer can then bag the trappy Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle with JAY JAY REILLY (2.40).
The gelding showed his class when routing Midnights Legacy over two miles here in November.
He put in another creditable shift when third to Earth Company in a warmer contest at Taunton.
The six-year-old resumed winning ways by hosing up from Inishbiggle over 2m 4f at Doncaster.
There is plenty more to come from this bold galloper who can shrug off a well-earned 15lb rise.
The Virgin Bet Handicap Chase is even trickier but I’m siding with DIEGO DU CHARMIL (3.15).
Paul Nicholls’ charge was good enough to take the Grade 1 Maghull at Aintree back in 2018.
The 10-year-old held for his form well for many years only to struggle for most of this season.
However, he showed clear signs of a revival when second to the classy Palmers Hill
at Ascot.
The gelding looks fairly treated on his best efforts so he can triumph in these calmer waters.
COOL STONE (3.50) can finally get her head in front for trainer Alan King in the novices’ hurdle.
The six-year-old can score with a repeat of her excellent second to Choral Work at Taunton.
BALKEO (4.25) can open his account for Nicky Henderson in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle.
The gelding was an encouraging third on his British debut in a high-quality event at Sandown.
The five-year-old should be fighting fit so he can put that experience to good use this time round.
