Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday February 21

We head to Warwick and it's a handicap chase over an extended two-and-a-half miles under consideration first (15:40). It's a first run since November for Alan King's Uxizandre, and before his layoff he gave us every reason to suggest he's a potentially smart prospect over fences. He won two novice hurdles but has taken especially well to life over the larger obstacles, winning two novice chases at Plumpton over the course of a month. On the second of those occasions he beat Funny Star by 17 lengths, and given that he has won twice subsequently it seems likely that the selection will have too much in the locker for his rivals today. He remains open to significant improvement and can maintain his unbeaten record this season on his way to bigger and brighter things. That's not to say this will be a bloodless cakewalk as both Bennys Mist and No Planning arrive in good form. 

There are a number of juveniles who arrive in good form for the next contest under the microscope, a two mile hurdle for four-year-olds (16:10). Haatefina probably sets the standard once her mares' allowance is taken into consideration, but the improver in the pack looks to be Raven's Tower. He got off the mark on the third time of asking at Plumpton in November and arguably should have won again there last month, and deserves full credit for coming so close to winning after being left with a lot to do in the closing stages. He looks a consistent type and it would be no surprise to see him gain compensation for his last start and regain the winning thread, although former winner Muhtaris is another threat to consider if responding to the application of first-time cheekpieces.

Our final bet of the day comes in the novices' handicap chase over three miles at Exeter (16:20) and a chance is taken on The Italian Yob to get back on track. He was pulled up when last seen at Cheltenham in January, but looking back on previous form its easy to come to the conclusion that he's better right handed.  He also tackles three miles for the first time today, and the manner in which he stayed on strongly at Sandown on his penultimate start (2m5f) suggests the step up in trip is likely to suit. Add to that mix that he's never been out of the frame here in four starts, which includes one victory in a novice hurdle, and all of today's conditions appear to be at an optimum for Nick Williams' charge to record his second victory of the season. Before Cheltenham he had put in an admirably consistent string of efforts in his first season over fences  which gives us all the more reason to be hopeful he'll give his running after some time off. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays 

Back Uxizandre @ 2.9215/8 in the 15:40 at Warwick
Back Raven's Tower @ 4.77/2 in the 16:10 at Warwick
Back The Italian Yob @ 4.67/2 in the 16:20 at Exeter