We saw some smart prospects on display on day one of the meeting, none more so than Third Time Lucki who took to fences very well and won the Novices' Chase over 2m.
Day two is a little trickier to go through but I've made an effort to try and pick out some more winners and follow up an average first day back at Cheltenham.
Race one is a Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle over 2m with 15 runners, and I've picked out two horses which have caught my eye here.
Samba Dancer could be hard to beat still for the Fergal O'Brien and Graham McPherson partnership, mainly because he still could a little bit in hand over the handicapper still after his recent success.
He's the main selection, but for an each-way shout I'm putting up Small Bad Bob for Paul Henderson, who has this horse in fine form, and he also might not have reached his limit still yet.
The second race is a Handicap Chase over 3m 1f and it's a very open contest like these handicaps should be, but I have strong feeling that Storm Control ticks all the boxes here and could win this with ease.
This horse is good fresh, and mix that in with his two wins here at the venue last year, and a strong display of jumping from the front, he's exactly what you need over this long trip.
Cool Mix will always give it a go no matter what at a bigger price, while Cloth Cap is of obvious interest as regards to how he shaped at times last year.
Onto the third, and we have a match up between what look to be another two horses to watch closely for the season.
Tritonic is the obvious class in the race for Adrian Heskin and Alan King, his win in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last winter was a breath-taking performance, and this horse could well benefit from the freshen up and hack up here.
His danger comes from the Skelton horse Stepney Causeway who runs in the Allmankind colours for the Gredley family, and this horse was last seen bringing up the four timer at Ayr in convincing fashion.
He takes on different opposition here in Tritonic, but the 7lbs he gets from the favourite could well play to his advantage, and I really look forward to watching this one.
Race four is a Handicap Chase over 1m 7f and I don't really have a strong fancy here, because if Sky Pirate continues where he left off last season and can manage top weight, I think he'll win this with ease.
The weight is an issue though, so Before Midnight who is well treated still for the Twiston-Davies team could well be worth a shout if your thinking like me in this race.
Onto the next Handicap Hurdle now, and again I don't really have a strong view on the race so I've decided to pick Geordie Des Champs at an each-way price because his run at Chepstow the other week was clearly one to blow the cobwebs away and he could still improve to take this contest.
Tullybeg will be hard to beat under top claimer Jordan Gainford but if he doesn't show up then anyone could take it, including Born Patriot who's trainer Peter Fahey has a habit now of getting horses handicapped well for a big run.
I'm not going to look too much into the next race either, because I was so impressed with Does He Know on his chase debut at Chepstow that I can't possibly ignore him here.
To have that turn of pace that he showed there after running 3 mile is impressive, and this track should suit him again, especially after he won a Novices' Hurdle at this meeting last year.
The final race is a bumper, a good one to watch for sure, with My Drogo finishing behind I Am Maximus here last season so, make sure to note the winner and second for the rest of the season after this.
I like the look of Top Dog for the Emma Lavelle stable and Ocean of Mercy for Paul Hennessy but we know this bumper could go to anyone and it's best to pick the horse you like the look of in this contest.
Day two done and dusted, if you thought that wasn't enough for you this weekend I'll also be previewing Aintree's meeting on Sunday which has some more exciting races to go through and preview, as always enjoy though and I'll see you in the next piece.
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