This afternoon our SmartPlays come thick and fast, all three running within a 40-minute spell starting with the 14:15 at Southwell. The race is a competitive handicap hurdle overall, though two in particular stand out as interesting sorts, namely Joseph Lister and Well Hello There. Both finished runner-up on their latest start in races which look to represent fairly strong form, though Joseph Lister's came last month while Well Hello There hasn't been seen since last December. Nevertheless, we see more potential in Well Hello There and the fact that he's twice the price of Joseph Lister probably overplays fitness doubts, so he's definitely our selection at the prices.
We stick to Southwell's fixed-brush hurdles for our second SmartPlay half an hour later over the same two-and-a-half-mile trip. It's a vastly inferior race to the 14:15, which is why we're nominating another seasonal debutante in Set In Her Ways. She was good enough to win an Aintree bumper in the early part of last season but took a while to get going over hurdles, putting up her best effort when a strong-travelling second over three miles at this course in January. She surely hasn't shown her all yet and, if readied first time up by trainer Kim Bailey, will probably have too much for her lowly opponents today.
Finally, we're off to Carlisle for a 17-furlong novice hurdle at 14:55. There's not much form to speak of among those with experience, which could leave the door open for hurdling debutant Imjoeking. Completely inexperienced in hurdle races he might be, but Imjoeking made a winning racecourse bow when taking a bumper over this C&D exactly a month ago, accounting for a well-backed Donald McCain-trained favourite in Blackwater King. Imjoeking is sure to be more of a stayer in time (quite stoutly-bred point winner), but he evidently copes with this stiff, extended two miles at this stage of his career and can enhance his reputation this afternoon.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Well Hello There @ 7.26/1 in the 14:15 at Southwell
Back Set In Her Ways @ 7.87/1 in the 14:45 at Southwell
Back Imjoeking @ 2.285/4 in the 14:55 at Carlisle
