Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday 23 November

Back
If The Cap Fits - 14:40 Ascot

If The Cap Fits has an excellent strike rate and can enhance it by winning back-to-back editions of this race. He has won seven of his 11 starts under Rules and proved better than ever when last seen at Aintree in April, getting the better of Roksana and Apple's Jade in a pulsating finish to the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle. He showed an excellent attitude on that occasion and is the type who can be relied upon to give his running. He already had a run under his belt when taking this race last season but has a good record when fresh and looks to have plenty in his favour.

Lay
Bristol de Mai - 15:00 Haydock

Bristol de Mai has won the last two editions of the Betfair Chase and goes tremendously well at Haydock, but he faces a top-notch prospect this year and is expected to come off second best. Lostintranslation boasts some rock-solid novice form and really impressed when gaining a deserved Grade 1 success on his final start of the season at Aintree, where he proved his stamina for this trip. He put in a flawless round of jumping when winning easily on his return at Carlisle and remains unexposed as chaser. He is expected to get the better of Bristol de Mai.

Smart Stat
Umbrigado - 14:25 Haydock

Smart Stat: 3 - David Pipe's number of winners in the past 10 runnings

David Pipe won this race with Grands Crus, Dynaste and Gevrey Chambertin when it was run over Fixed Brush hurdles and clearly targets the contest. He unleashes another exciting prospect this season in Umbrigado, who is clearly held in high regard as he contested the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle on just his third start over hurdles. He lost his unbeaten record but was not disgraced in sixth and remains open to plenty of progress.