Through The Card: Chelmsford, Thursday 25 April

17:30 - THE PINTO KID (1) ended last season on an upward curve, cosily landing a pair of Kempton handicaps at up to a mile and a half. Stepping back up to this trip could be the catalyst for further progress and, raised just 4 lb for his latest success, James Fanshawe's charge is a confident selection in this opening leg of the Placepot. Houlton has improved since returning from a break in October and may be next best ahead of Press Gang and Singing The Blues.

18:00 - Hero Hero comfortably sets the standard on form here, but it could be worth trying to get him beat in the Placepot with the newcomer JUBILOSO (6). Representing Sir Michael Stoute, who has a terrific record with his runners at this venue, she is bred in the purple (by Shamardal and out of a half-sister to Frankel) and is fancied to make the weight she receives from the boys count, with the fine form of the Stoute yard an ongoing recommendation (87.5% of horses running to form).

18:30 - WALK ON WATER (3) has thrived since joining the Jonathan Portman yard and resumed winning ways with plenty in hand over C&D last time, hitting the front three out and quickly forging clear thereafter to make it three wins from his last four starts. A further 7 lb rise in the weights makes life tougher here, but he still leads the way on weight-adjusted ratings and looks difficult to oppose in his current mood, with King Robert - who handed the selection his last defeat over C&D in December - likely to prove the biggest danger to him once again.

19:00 - The Kevin Ryan-trained HEY JONESY (4) signed off his 2018 campaign with a near miss in a strong listed contest at Doncaster and, assuming he's ready to roll following a break and takes to this surface, he will prove a tough nut to crack. Aside from a low-key display at Ascot in October, Dream of Dreams did little wrong last season and is a much-respected main danger. Ayr Gold Cup hero Baron Bolt is best of the rest.

19:30 - PENTLAND LAD (8) has improved with each of his four starts in handicaps since returning to action in February, scoring over seven furlongs at Kempton the last twice. There could be even better to come and, with this drop back in trip unlikely to pose a problem, the hat-trick beckons. Temple of Wonder found just one too strong at Lingfield on his latest start and is next best ahead of Sepahi and Griggy.

20:00 - LABREGA (1) ended last season on a low note, when finishing down the field at Goodwood in July, but her subsequent absence suggests that she may have been amiss that day. Given plenty of time to recover since, she remains potentially well treated on the evidence of her earlier success at Haydock, the standard-setter on weight-adjusted ratings here, and it could be worth giving her another chance to confirm that promise, representing the Hugo Palmer yard that is well capable of readying one after a break (£30.88 profit to a £1 level stake).

20:30 - The one who appeals most is QUICK BREATH (3), who was successful over C&D off this mark last summer and was denied a clear run when a close second back here a fortnight ago. Crosse Fire is clearly in good heart, but all 11 of his all-weather victories have been gained at Southwell. Consequently, Harbour Vision, who wasn't seen to best effect here last time, rates the main danger.

21:00 - Unpenalised following his decisive breakthrough success over five furlongs here last week, ADMIRAL ROOKE (1) will take plenty of stopping if performing to a similar level in the finale. Kellington Kitty posted her best effort yet when third here at the start of the month and can give the selection most to do.