Sandown arguably provides the best of today's action and it is to the Esher course where we head for our first SmartPlay, selecting Greywell Boy in the 14:50. Greywell Boy has been brought along steadily and he already looks as if he will make a better chaser than hurdler, getting off the mark over fences on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter last time, jumping well and making all. This represents a stiffer test, and he will need to improve, but given his lightly-raced profile, and the aptitude he has shown for chasing, it would register as little surprise were Nick Williams' novice to defy an 8 lb rise and win again.
We will take a chance that the switch to the Richard Woollacott yard can conjure some improvement out of Great Kicker and that the eight-year-old can land the 15:00 at Leicester. It is true that the selection wasn't in the best of form when last seen in the summer, failing to make an impression at Worcester after being pulled-up at Newton Abbott, but he had hinted at possessing ability prior to that, finishing second on three consecutive occasions, and it will be interesting to see if the change of yards and a break can lead to an improved performance.
Our final SmartPlay runs on the all-weather as we select Saoi to get back on the winning trail in the 19:10 at Wolverhampton. An Irish import from the powerful Jim Bolger stable, Saoi has been in excellent form of late for the William Knight yard, winning at Lingfield in December and this venue in January before narrowly failing in the hat-trick attempt last month. Saoi was possibly unlucky not to notch up another win last time, meeting trouble on the home turn and conceding first run to the eventual winner, and he can gain compensation here.
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Greywell Boy @ 5.04/1 in the 14:50 Sandown
Back Great Kicker @ 8.415/2 in the 15:00 at Leicester
Back Saoi @ 4.57/2 in the 19:10 Wolverhampton
