Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday October 14

All three selections come in a 50-minute spell, starting with the 16:00 at Salisbury. It's a minor event, which can again go the way of last year's winner Shamaal Nibras. Such are the vagaries of these races that our selection didn't have to run near his best to win 12 months ago; indeed, he ran to a much higher figure when finishing sixth in a good Ascot handicap last week. He's been generally reliable this year, more so than most of his rivals, and is a solid proposition here.

Our other selections both run at Musselburgh, starting with the sprint handicap at 16:20. Sharp tracks and the assistance of good apprentices has helped Tom Sawyer on recent starts, and granted similar conditions today he looks a value play. He was second over this C&D last time, beaten by Opt Out who re-opposes today, but slight alterations in the conditions today could swing the balance in his favour. He's drawn favourably for a start, while Opt Out hardly sparkled at Ayr last Thursday and will be meeting Tom Sawyer on worse terms than last time. With Connor Beasley again claiming a generous 5 lb, Tom Sawyer has a good chance of reversing the form.

We're taking more of a chance on SmartPlay number three, which runs in the following seven-furlong handicap (16:50). Cast your mind back to May, when Gandalak won over C&D in fine style from a BHA mark of 86. A busy spring seemed to catch up with him soon after, while he was down the field in the Ayr Bronze Cup returning from a break last time, but that could just have set him right for an autumn campaign. You certainly wouldn't doubt David O'Meara's methods, and with Gandalak now just 3 lb higher than for his easy success here earlier in the year he'd certainly be among the most interesting if some market support materialises.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Shamaal Nibras @ 4.03/1 in the 16:00 Salisbury
Back Tom Sawyer @ 6.25/1 in the 16:20 Musselburgh
Back Gandalak @ 14.527/2 in the 16:50 Musselburgh 

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