13:40 WincantonWed 5 Apr 3m1f Hcap Chs

Emmpressive Lady is a 4-time hurdle winner who has shown some ability over fences, winning a handicap chase at Bangor last month. While she is not one to rely on heavily, she may be able to handle a 3lb rise in the weights.

Shirocco’s Dream is a dual hurdle winner who made a winning start to her chasing career at Huntingdon in February, where she made all to beat three rivals. She may have needed her last run at Taunton, where she was pestered for the lead throughout, and may be able to bounce back here.

Wouldubewell is a fairly useful hurdler who won twice over fences last season but has struggled in competitive marathon handicaps this season. While he is well handicapped, he needs to turn a corner and may not be in the best form.

Based on past performance and current form, my top 3 horses for this race would be Shirocco’s Dream, Emmpressive Lady, and Wouldubewell, in that order. Shirocco’s Dream has shown the most potential over fences and may be able to bounce back from her last run, while Emmpressive Lady’s recent win suggests she is in good form. Wouldubewell may be well handicapped but needs to find his form.

14:15 WincantonWed 5 Apr 2m5f Hcap Hrd

Caspers Court comes into this race on good form, having won his last two starts over C&D and at Exeter. He is able to cope with competition for the lead and is proven on good ground. He looks to have a good chance of continuing his winning run here and is my top pick.

Cluain Aodha impressed with a career-best performance last time out at Warwick, winning a class 5 handicap hurdle. She has no ground issues and her tendency to jump right may go unpunished around here. While a 6lb rise demands more, she should be competitive again and is a strong contender.

Good News has won five of his last seven races and is respected here, despite not being certain that this shorter trip rates his present optimum. He was hampered by a lost shoe last time out, which offers an excuse for that performance. However, he has no ground issues and should be competitive again.

Other horses to consider include Great Ocean, who returns to the scene of his maiden hurdle win and has a further drop in the handicap mark, and Hatos, who should appreciate the drop back in trip and has the top amateur booked. Enjoy Your Life and Oscars Moonshine have shown potential in the past and could improve, but they need to bounce back from disappointing runs last time out.

14:50 WincantonWed 5 Apr 2m4f Nov Hcap Chs

Hard Frost has made a very promising start to his chasing career, finishing second by just a nose on his debut at Market Rasen. He has a good chance here with the step up in trip likely to suit him. Ithaka, who won his last start over hurdles at this course, is now making his chasing debut and has been well supported in the market. He could be dangerous if he can transfer his improved form to fences. Broadoak has been progressing well over fences this season and was a close second over this course and distance last time out. He could be in with a chance again here.

Of the remaining runners, Begin The Luck has been running well recently and should appreciate the switch to fences, while Toad Of Toad Hall has won a chase this season but has been out of form since. My Rockstar has yet to show his best form over fences and will need to improve to feature. Mix Master and Milanford are non-runners.

Overall, I would select Hard Frost as the most likely winner, with Ithaka and Broadoak as the main dangers.

15:25 WincantonWed 5 Apr 1m7f Mdn Hrd

Boom Boom looks to be the class of the field here with useful bumper form and showing promise over hurdles before an unlucky fall. He should appreciate the drop in trip and is the clear pick to win. Dylan’s Double also showed some promise on his hurdle debut and has found a weak race here, making him a possible contender for second. Gieves may have a chance to sneak into the frame with a better run after an unseating on his hurdling debut and a poor performance last time out. The rest of the field have not shown enough to suggest they can compete here.

16:00 WincantonWed 5 Apr 1m7f Mdn Hrd

Gallopade is the clear form pick in this race, having won two bumpers last season and finishing third in a Ludlow novice hurdle last month, before running a close second in a similar event at the same course just two weeks ago. Despite his tendency to race too freely, the addition of a hood should help him settle better, and he has every chance of getting his head in front.

Royal Max showed promise on his hurdling debut at Ludlow six weeks ago, finishing fifth in a competitive maiden hurdle, and is expected to improve for that experience. He could be one to watch in this race and is likely to be there or thereabouts at the finish.

West End Boy has displayed some promise in his two 2m Sandown novice hurdles in February/March, and he has a chance to get involved here in this easier race. Although he fell on his latest start, he was in the process of showing similar form and looks capable of improving.

Diamond Egg has struggled in his three attempts over hurdles this year, but he did show promise in his bumper win at Huntingdon last spring. With the hood removed and the addition of a tongue-tie, he could bounce back and cause an upset in this field.

Overall, Gallopade, Royal Max, and West End Boy are the top three horses to consider for this race, but Diamond Egg could also be one to watch if he manages to recapture his bumper form.

16:35 WincantonWed 5 Apr 1m7f Hcap Hrd

Lady Adare looks to be the class act in this field having won all three novice races last season. Although she disappointed on her reappearance at Taunton in January, she has had a wind op since then, and it would be unwise to rule her out. No No Tonic is another to consider, having won impressively over C&D on Boxing Day and run two fine races at Chepstow before a poor showing at Fakenham last time. If she bounces back to her previous form, she would be a major player. Petticoat Lucy is also worth considering, having won a C&D novice race last season and finishing a good third at Chepstow in February. She is consistent and should be in the mix.

1. Lady Adare
2. No No Tonic
3. Petticoat Lucy

Somespring Special is an unexposed 5yo who impressed on her handicap debut at Fontwell, but it remains to be seen how she will cope under a penalty, and it may be worth opposing her. Puffin Bay is an interesting runner having been sold for £10,000 after a disappointing run last summer. The tongue-tie may help him, and the market support would be worth noting. Addosh has a decent record over hurdles but has been out of form recently and would need to bounce back to figure. Finally, Gentle Connections won four races last season but hasn’t shown the same level of form since and is difficult to recommend until she shows a return to her earlier form.

17:05 WincantonWed 5 Apr 2m4f Hcap Chs

Dreaming Blue comes into this race with an impressive win over fences at Doncaster last month and could potentially improve even more on this right-handed track. Mongol Emperor also impressed with a win over fences at Doncaster last month and has strong handicapping credentials based on his hurdling form. Lazy Sunday has been thriving lately with three consecutive wins and should not be underestimated.

In terms of physical attributes, Native Robin is a teenager but has won three times over C&D last season, suggesting that he is still competitive at this level. Triple Trade has been consistent, finishing as the runner-up on both completed starts this season and looking like a serious contender before unseating the rider at Kempton last month.

Of the remaining horses, Pasvolsky has not been seen since a lesser effort over hurdles in November, while Flagrant Delitiep has not been in good form this season. Fanzio has become very inconsistent and patently not the force of old.

Overall, Dreaming Blue, Mongol Emperor, and Lazy Sunday are the top picks in this race, with Native Robin and Triple Trade also worth considering.