Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday December 27

The Castleford Chase (14:15 )at Wetherby hasn't attracted a large field but it still appeals as an interesting contest and can go to Pepite Rose. Pepite Rose developed into a smart handicapper last term, finishing runner-up off a higher mark at Haydock in March, but went off the boil slightly during a busy back-end to the campaign. Pepite Rose has shown that she can be competitive from higher marks, so is obviously fairly treated here, and is very much of interest on her return, with her yard in good form, having gone well fresh in the past.

Merrion Square went down fighting at Sandown last time, faring best of those that attempted to make ground from the rear, and he is worth backing in the three-mile handicap chase at Kempton (15:05). A C&D winner in May, where he put in a good round of jumping, Merrion Square proved at Sandown that he is back in excellent heart and he looks like a solid proposition in a race where plenty of his rivals have questions to answer.

Staff Sergeant was an expensive failure on his first start for Michael Appleby but it is worth overlooking that effort and giving the son of Dubawi another chance from a fair-looking mark in the 15:35 at Southwell. Staff Sergeant hasn't made much of an impact since scoring off a mark of 70 at Musselburgh in May but Appleby has proven extremely adept at rejuvenating similar horses and the trainer's excellent record makes it worthwhile siding with Staff Sergeant off today's mark of 64, despite the 11-furlong trip possibly being further than ideal.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:

Back Pepite Rose in the 14:15 at Wetherby
Back Merrion Square in the 15:05 at Kempton
Back Staff Sergeant in the 15:35 at Southwell