Thursday 15th April:

#NAP – EGLATINE DU SEUIL (2.40 Cheltenham) – Hasn’t been at his best in his last couple of outings including at last month’s festival when midfield in the Martin Pipe over C&D but the handicapper has eased him 3lb for that and if able to reproduce soe of his better form then he looks to hold every chance of gaining a first success since landing the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the 2019 festival when beating the much-improved Concertista by a short-head when trained by Willie Mullins. The following season he went down by a length-and-a-half in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown off this mark of 140 and since joining Paul Nicholls’ yard last winter he’s ran well in another couple of handicaps off 3lb and 7lb higher marks (one of which was over C&D again). He carries top-weight (original top-weight is a NR) but he’s off only 11-3, the better ground should be fine and Harry Skelton in the saddle looks a promising booking with Harry Cobden out injured. (10/3) – Bet365 – 1pt – 2nd (-1)

#NB – LA BARROSA (3.35 Newmarket) – Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand here and Master Of The Seas brings probably the best form to the table with a Group 2 win on the July course last summer but it’s his stablemate who I think can come out on top in the Craven. He won his first two starts in his two-year old campaign, firstly in an Ascot maiden under a hands and heels ride before landing a Group 3 success over 7f on this course at the end of September, again when not entirely worked on by the jockey and he shapes as though this step up to a mile will suit. His last run can be forgiven when last of five (beaten just over six-lengths) as that came in Group 1 company on heavy ground over in Saint-Cloud, so the return to a faster surface is a big plus and this previous course winner can hopefully land this Group 3. (4/1) – Bet365 – 1pt – 2nd (-1)

Stake: 2pts

April P/L: +7.55pts

Overall P/L (Sept ’17-present): +591.53pts