Bets of the Day: Alizee De Janerio may still be improving over fences

Lucinda Russell's mare looking to make it six wins at Kelso

Kelso 16:10

Lucinda Russell hasn't had the best of times lately but she can get back to winning ways with her charge Alizee De Janerio. The nine-year-old mare is a five-time winner at the course, two of which were over today's trip and she is thriving at the minute. She was very impressive when winning on her last outing here and she has only gone up 2lbs for that success.

Despite her age she is only lightly raced over fences, this will only be her ninth start, so there could still be plenty more to come from her and with the more than capable Derek Fox in the plate. She should be tough to beat.

The one that could chase her home though is Halcyon Days for the in form Rebecca Menzies team, who despite also getting on a bit at ten-years-old, is another that is thriving of late as he bids to double up after a win at Catterick earlier this month. He has received a 5lb hike in the weights for that and I think he will have to do more than last time to win this, but he's done little wrong this season and certainly is a danger.

Classic Ben can make it back-to-back victories

Newbury 14:05

The opening race at Newbury is a Class 3 handicap over three miles and one furlong and although Classic Ben has to carry a extra 4lbs for his maiden win over fences last time out, however, I think he can go in again.

The two-time hurdles winner confirmed previous chase promise when landing that competitive 16-runner handicap at Sandown over just short of today's trip last month. The most eyecatching part of that victory though was how he stayed on well all the way to the line, suggesting this extra furlong will be no problem at all. Now that he has got his head in front over fences, he has every chance of making it back-to-back victories.

Strong Pursuit is the obvious danger for the red hot Philip Hobbs team, he will definitely strip fitter for his third place finish on his reappearance at Sandown last month. He had been off the course for 463 days prior to that run and with Richard Johnson on board he will be the one I suspect that will give Classic Ben the most to do today.