Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday April 27

Our first SmartPlay comes in the opening contest at Sandown as we side with Ptit Zig. Paul Nicholls' charge was a good third in the ultra-competitive Fred Winter handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, an effort made all the more meritorious as it was just his second start for the stable, and he still looks well treated having been raised just 4 lb for that encouraging run. He travelled notably strongly on that occasion, looking a real threat as they swung for home and, with the prospect of more to come, he rates as a good bet in the first race.

The Roger Varian-trained Aljamaaheer was slightly unlucky not to taste Group-race success last year and he can make a winning start as a four-year-old in the 15:55 at Leicester. Aljamaaheer progressed well last season, winning a seven-furlong listed contest at Newmarket in good style before producing encouraging performances at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, looking particularly unlucky not to win on the latter occasion. He signed off for the year with a creditable performance at Goodwood in the Celebration Mile and, although he faces a couple of smart performers in Majestic Myles and Producer, he looks to have been presented with an excellent opportunity and should take this listed contest on his way to better things.

Brass Ring is obviously open to plenty of improvement following an eye-catching introduction at Nottingham recently, but the David O'Meara-trained Chancery sets a fair standard in the 17:25 at Haydock and could be difficult to beat. Having started life in bumpers - where he scored at Haydock prior to pushing The New One close at Cheltenham - Chancery has had the two starts on the Flat, finishing second on both occasions, and he looks to have plenty in his favour on his return from a near sixth-month absence. 

Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Ptit Zig @ 5.85/1 to win the 13:30 Sandown
Back Aljamaaheer @ 2.01/1 to win the 15:55 at Leicester
Back Chancery @ 2.26/5 in the 17:25 at Haydock

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