Ones to watch

The opening race at Dundalk (15:25) is an intriguing one. Scorchio opened her account over C&D here in October and was a good third over 6f back at the course earlier this month.

But my preference is with Mary Shoelaces . The lightly-raced 2YOs form on the turf isn’t worth talking about, but she improved massively when tried first time on the AW when third behind Scorchio in that October win.

She’s up 3lb on that, but her rival is 10lbs heavier, and with first-time blinkers on, the Eddie and Patrick Harty could be able to get off the mark at 3/1.

The bumper at Hereford looks set to go the way of Paul Nicholls’ 120,000 euros purchase Jackpot Des Bordes , It’s also Cobden’s only ride of the day. But it’s evens so good for some leverage or to put in an acca.

Audacious Annie is an eye-catcher in the 15:35 bumper at Wetherby. The 62,000 euros 3YO is a half-sister to five winners, including You Wear It Well — who won a bumper and has since won five times in seven over hurdles (including a G2 at the Festival). Dam Annie’s Answer is also a bumper winner, so well worth siding with at 5/2.

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Reverend Hubert is the odds-on favourite for the first race of the day at Hereford and is making the trip over from Ireland. But I fancy Jonjo O’Neill’s Magic Seven to turn it over.

Many of you will remember he was a winning NAP when he won incredibly comfortably over hurdles over C&D earlier this month, and I think he can win again. There’s plenty of money coming for him as well as he’s into 9/5 from around 3/1.

My final pick is Call Me Harry (9/4)   in the 14:45 at Kelso. He finally got off the mark over hurdles last time, winning on the seventh attempt at Mussleburgh earlier this month. He’s up 4lb, but Patrick Wedge’s claim helps there and a slight drop back in trip shouldn’t be an issue.