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Old Jeroboam has the happy knack of surprising us when he goes to the racecourse. Unbeaten in two bumpers (one here) and a hurdle recently at Worcester, he has more to do with a penalty, but should we question him? Probably not.

Silver Tassie was running a big race on his seasonal debut when he clouted the third-last and after that came home in his own time. He has improved for the run and we give him a big each-way shout today.

Just Don't Ask did well in his brief spell over fences, winning nicely over this course and distance before jumping less fluently at Newcastle. A repetition of the former effort would give him a chance despite his big weight.

Adjourned has been working very well and has done lots of schooling. He should be in the first three at least.

Tide Times won a West Country point before joining us and then ran pretty well in a hot Newbury bumper, weakening late on. He has been pleasing us at home and must hold each-way chances.

Lilkian was stopped dead halfway through his latest race at Kempton, otherwise he must have gone close. I'm not worried about the drop to five furlongs but until they run on Fibresand you cannot be dogmatic about how they'll handle it. If he does I think he'll win.

Grageelagh Girl is dropping down in class so we are quite excited about her chance today. She hasn't been finishing off her races too well, so we hope there's no underlying problem. She will love the ground and we hope she will come back to form in this easier grade.

Local Affair shaped well on debut but was too free next time out at Plumpton. The first-time hood may help settle her and she does have an experience edge over the others so should go well.

Mustarrid ran his best race of the year last time, but I'm not sure the testing ground will be to his liking.

The last thing we expected after last week's weather was for Chepstow to be drying out and it could even be good to soft today. Checkitout wants very soft ground ideally but he should be all right and it's a good enough starting point for his season.

Say Nothing has run some good races along with a number of disappointments. She's had a nice break since running unexpectedly poorly at Leicester and if she copes with the surface as ours often do, she'll have a chance to break her duck.

Quaint missed the break so was always playing catch-up against the useful Daily News last time and tired close home. A better start tonight and this extra furlong would bring her into contention. Should be in the money.

Cornerstone Lad is in good form at home, has been ready to run for a couple of weeks and loves the ground. He looks competitive off this mark and we are hopeful of a good run. The bigger picture is this is as much a prep run for his jumping campaign, so any prize money…

Sevarano made a smart winning debut in a hot Kempton bumper before another good effort in the big Aintree bumper at the Grand National meeting. Hopes were obviously high for his novice hurdling campaign last winter, but on balance he was disappointing, tailing off with two poor runs after good performances initially behind two smart…

Chateau Robin came from Kim Bailey where he was placed a few times. He ran a good first race for us after a long break up at Perth and hopefully he shouldn't be far away today. He needs to get his head in front at some stage and I hope it's today.

Big Bad Bear is a grand little horse. I'm not saying he'll win today as it's first time up and in a good race but he'll win plenty through the winter.

Imperial Alcazar is a serious horse. He was a decent bumper performer and is a brilliant jumper of hurdles. He will love the extra distance and we think it will take a very good horse to get past him.

Wandrin Star is in great form at home in advance of this return to action. He had two wide-margin wins last season which means the handicapper may have his say, so probably only place chances.

Templepark is in good order at home and is very fit. He will jump round Wincanton all right - he really loves his jumping - and I think the ground will be fine for him. A serious each-way chance.

Lady in Hiding was promising when fourth on her debut at Newbury in March. I had wanted to run her again but she picked up an infection, from which happily she has fully recovered. A feisty filly, she’s definitely improved from her race, and while we are probably aiming a bit high, her owner can…