Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday February 8

The Grade 2 Denman Chase, due off at 14:25 at Newbury, features five runners but readily boils down to just two, with Vino Griego not good enough, Walkon yet to prove he stays this far and Harry Topper's jumping a massive concern. Katenko is a worthy opponent for our selection, particularly with his stable firing on all cylinders, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Al Ferof is the one to be on after running respectably on his first crack at this trip in the King George. The nine-year-old was slightly below-par that day, not quite running up to expectations, but the sharp nature of the Kempton track looked far from ideal, whereas the more galloping Newbury circuit should be right up his street. He remains a solid Gold Cup contender, and is expected to prove that point here.

Our final two selections go on the polytrack at Lingfield, starting in the 15:10 with Moonday Sun. The five-year-old, a useful performer in France, made a bright start for his new yard when finding just one too good, having been well supported in the market, over a mile here last week, losing nothing in defeat to one that is in top form. The step up to this trip ought to suit, and he is strongly fancied to go one better.

The 16:20 is a fairly tight sprint handicap with a couple on workable marks, including Top Cop who was competitive off marks in the low 90s when trained by Andrew Balding. He made a good start for new trainer Ron Harris at Kempton after four months off recently, going off too hard but catching the eye nonetheless, and his handler has a record of doing well with similar types. The cheekpieces go back on now and he is fancied to see off the likes of Macs Power and My Kingdom, both hold-up horses that have become difficult to win with.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Al Ferof in the 14:25 at Newbury
Back Moonday Sun in the 15:10 at Lingfield
Back Top Cop in the 16:20 at Lingfield

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