Timeform UK SmartPlays / Timeform / 26 January 2012 /

There's plenty of racing across the United Kingdom for punters to get to grips with today, but Timeform's SmartPlays team believe the following trio are worthy of particular attention...

Newcastle-born trainer Brian Ellison can enjoy a successful homecoming this afternoon when he saddles the unexposed Mahfal in the handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys. Mahfal built on his efforts in maiden/juvenile hurdles when third to a subsequent winner over two miles at Leicester on his handicap bow 16 days ago, a couple of mistakes not helping but leaving the impression there's better to come. The four-year-old son of Dalakhani ran that day as though a step up in trip could be the key to unlock that improvement, and he gets the chance to prove that synopsis correct at 15:15 when he will be ridden by Kyle James, fresh from yesterday's Musselburgh victory on the same yard's Dontpaytheferryman.

Storm Runner (16:35), who racked up a polytrack hat-trick in the space of a month beginning on the last day of November, has been set too much to do on his last two starts and it's anticipated that he'll enjoy better fortune in the opening mile handicap at Kempton. Such is the way he has been finishing his races, Storm Runner's current BHA rating of 59 may still underestimate him and, with jockey Ryan Powell (who has finishing positions of 114 on the gelding) likely to be conscious of not allowing his mount to get too far back, the pair can combine successfully for the third time.

Marco Botti has sent out three winners from 13 runners since the turn of the year and the master of Green Ridge Stables can add another to that tally with Whaileyy (19:05) in the first of three six-furlong handicaps at the same all-weather track tonight. Whaileyy won a seven-furlong Yarmouth maiden as a juvenile and produced form bordering on useful when placed in handicaps a year later for Sir Michael Stoute, visored when a half-length second at Goodwood in June on his final start for the yard. Whaileyy reappeared for his new stable six months later, shaping as if he retained his ability (though possibly in need of the run) when sixth of nine to Novellen Lad in a New Year's Eve handicap over seven furlongs at Lingfield. Off the same BHA rating and with first-time blinkers to sharpen him up, he can go very close back at a furlong shorter.

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Mahfal @ [3.25] in the 15:15 at Newcastle
Back Storm Runner @ [3.85] in the 16:35 at Kempton
Back Whaileyy @ [5.7] in the 19:05 at Kempton

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Timeform's Horses to Follow Extra Festival Trials edition is out now and features no less than five big-race previews and an interview with Nigel Twiston-Davies.

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