13:40 - The distinct lack of pace in the opener will be a worry for most, but Storm Runner and Rock Anthem arrive at the top of the game and are not expected to be troubled. Both are effective at a mile on polytrack and both go especially well for apprentice riders.

14:10 - Only two places up for grabs in the second mile handicap and, sadly, no standout contender's jump off the race card. Next Cry beat a next-time-out winner when scoring over course and distance in November and, in anticipation of him being allowed an easy lead, he's given another chance to atone for a below-part effort last time. With the other three all slow starters, the strong-travelling Majestic Zafeen is also in after an improved effort on her handicap debut/first start since leaving Mick Channon at Lingfield last time.

14:40 - The fillies' maiden presents the first chance to sink a favourite, in this case it's Boudoir. Whilst Richard Hannon's filly has done little wrong in two outings so far, her form is only modest and she's vulnerable at odds on. With Alhira a non-runner the danger has to be Naughtical, who wasn't unduly knocked about in three maidens last year and has the assistance of Kieren Fallon for the first time.

15:10 - Seven-runner claimers are the bane of a placepot player's life and the fourth leg looks typically troublesome with questions surrounding everything in the line-up. In those circumstances although both are far from infallible, we can only stick with the two that have winning form in the grade, namely Desert Strike and Stevie Gee.

15:40 - The mile-and-a-half handicap is likely to prove the most informative race on the card going forward, with the likes of Big Creek unexposed for his new yard and Ellemujie a good benchmark in the grade. However, there can be no qualms about banking on James Fanshawe's handicap debutant Refractor, as the four-year-old beat recent maiden winner Bert The Alert in a similar event over course and distance with a bit to spare a month ago and an opening BHA mark of 76 could underestimate him.

16:10 - It goes against all natural instincts to put everything on such an unknown quantity in the final throws of what could hopefully prove a profitable placepot, but such is the profile of Fire In Babylon, he is screaming 'banker'. The brother to the useful mile-and-a-quarter winner Three Moons was never going to be competitive in sprint maidens last year and is sure to prove well-handicapped off an opening mark of 52 now stepping up fully five furlongs in trip having been gelded since his latest start. The fact that Jim Crowley (20% strike rate for the yard at +10.00 level-stakes profit) has been booked for the ride is just the icing on the cake.

Selections:

13:40 - 4, 9

14:10 - 2, 3

14:40 - 6

15:10 - 3, 7

15:40 - 9

16:10 - 4

= 8 lines