Timeform UK SmartPlays / Timeform / 06 February 2012 /

There may only be two meetings for Timeform's SmartPlays team to choose from in Britain and Ireland today, but there's still value to be had with these three selections...

There are at least three things pointing to a big run from Neptune Equester (15:40) in the three-mile-one-furlong handicap chase at Ayr, namely the return of Denis O'Regan (second on only ride on the horse) in the saddle, the presence of first-time cheekpieces and the fact that he needs to win before the Grand National weights are announced on February 14 to have a fighting chance of making April's line-up. In respect of the last-named, Neptune Equester's prospects haven't been helped by the handicapper dropping him 4 lb since his Haydock win, but that has meant he has been able to take a big drop in class this afternoon and he looks ready to strike. Subsequent events have proved that Wetherby's Rowland Meyrick (fifth, despite it being an insufficient test of stamina) was a hot race and, with mucus in the throat found to be the reason for his below-par effort at Warwick last time, Neptune Equester is expected to bounce back successfully today.

George Prodromou's Trojan Rocket has rapidly developed into a Wolverhampton specialist and can add another course-and-distance success to his name in the seven-furlong handicap at 15:55. Trojan Rocket's two most recent performances have been up with his best despite him having had excuses, not getting a clear run when fourth at today's venue and poorly drawn/racing wide when third at Kempton. 7 lb claimer Darren Edward Egan has looked capable in his handful of starts on these shores since coming from Ireland and he can guide the consistent Trojan Rocket to his third victory in handicaps.

With eleven individual horses having won for Dr Marwan Koukash since the turn of the year, the Liverpool-based owner is well on his way to being crowned leading all-weather owner for 2011/12 and, like this column, he will be expecting Valley Tiger to follow up last week's course-and-distance win when lining up in the 17:00 at Wolverhampton. With that half-length beating of McCool Bananas a career-best, it would appear Richard Fahey has finally found the key to him and, with Bentley and Warden Bond expected to provide enough pace, hold-up performer Valley Tiger successfully can defy a 4lb rise in the weights.

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Neptune Equester @ [3.95] in the 15:40 at Ayr
Back Trojan Rocket @ [4.3] in the 15:55 at Wolverhampton
Back Valley Tiger @ [3.75] in the 17:00 at Wolverhampton

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