Ones to watch

Cool Dan was fourth of 11 from 13/2 on his AW debut here when blinkered for the first time earlier this month, and that form has been boosted since as one of today’s rivals Rhasidat was behind in sixth and has won since.

This is a longer trip, but he looks like a solid choice at 3/1 for Lyons in the opener at Dundalk.

330,000 euro yearling Beautiful Dawn, who is a half-sister to three winners, is set to make her debut for Joseph O’Brien in the 17:30 at Dundalk. But preference is for Back Down Under.

She’s been knocking on the door and was a good second by less than a length in a Premier Nursery Handicap at Naas in October. She makes the switch to polytrack this evening, but she’s back in maiden company and will take all the beating on form.

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Horses and boosts

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All eyes will be on HERMES ALLEN in the Grade 2 at Newbury at 13:50, but Paul Nicholls’ quotes on the part-Sir Alex Ferguson-owned horse has clearly scared people off and he’s on a massive drift.

I wasn’t 100% sold on backing him first time out over fences anyway, and I quite like the look of Nickle Back at 4/1. He wasn’t a fantastic hurdler, but he has taken to fences really well and has won two handicaps by a combined 43 lengths.

Of course, this is a massive step up in class the Sarah Humphrey horse, but there’s a chance he’s as good as any in this race. Sarah is also in fantastic form, including winning with The Wise Traveller at Huntingdon last week — which I tipped at 10/1.

Marie’s Rock is another I like at Newbury, but she’s odds-on at 4/5 so could be good leverage or one for an acca.

The final pick is Concluding Call in the 18:00 at Dundalk at 9/4. She made a promising debut when a close fourth of 14 from 17/2 at this course last month, and the drop down in trip from 1m3f to 1m should suit her perfectly.