Our first SmartPlay comes in the second race as we take a chance on Neil Mulholland's new recruit, Pindar. Successful on the Flat on two occasions in the summer when trained by Barney Curley, Pindar justified strong market support on his return to hurdles, defying an opening mark of 71 at Hereford. He has since been unsuccessful three times, including on his chasing bow at Huntingdon in November, but he shaped with promise, ravelling well for much of the way, and is of serious interest on his return to handicap company.
There is little reason to question Midnight Sail's attitude, despite him having finished second on his last four starts, and he is presented with a good opportunity to get his head back in front in the 15:10. His latest effort, when finishing second to Emma Lavelle's promising horse Easter Meteor, was particularly meritorious as the front pair pulled a long way clear of the third and a reproduction of that level of form should ensure that Alan King's reliable ten-year-old is once again involved in the finish.
Tidal Dance catches the eye in the ' Follow @Timeform1948 on Twitter Handicap Hurdle' (15:40). Emma Lavelle's unexposed six-year-old wasn't seen to best effect at Folkestone last month, making up significant ground late on to finish second having lost his place leaving the back straight, and he remains open to significant improvement on his handicap bow. The step up in trip also promises to suit and it would be little surprise were Tidal Dance to produce a much-improved performance.
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Pindar @ 5.39/2 in the 13:40
Back Midnight Sail @ 4.131/10 in the 15:10
Back Tidal Dance @ 2.9215/8 in the 15:40
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