The Martin Keighley-trained Creepy doesn't have a great deal in hand on form in the opener at Cheltenham but he arguably boasts the most potential going forward and he is fancied to follow up his Chepstow success from earlier this month. The five-year-old finished fourth to Coneygree in a Grade 2 at this track on his hurdling debut and, though things didn't quite go to plan immediately, he posted an excellent effort to finish second in a competitive handicap, again at this venue, towards the end of last season. Now that he has got his head in front it would come as no surprise were he to kick on, and he ought to go well.
Champions Day at Ascot features an abundance of excellent racing and the first of our two tips on the card goes in the Sprint, with Jim Goldie's Jack Dexter given the vote primarily on reasons of value. Prix de l'Abbaye winner Maarek has to be respected but his price looks a bit skinny and Jack Dexter, who finished a cracking third off top-weight in the Ayr Gold Cup last time, boasts a decent record at this track having taken the handicap on this card 12 months ago and finished fourth in the King's Stand this season. He is a sprinter on the up and can gain a high profile success here.
The Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes is a tightly-knit race in which plenty hold solid claims but Michael Bell's The Lark looks far too big in the market and she is the one we shall side with. The three-year-old, who finished third in the Epsom Oaks, was an impressive winner of the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster on soft ground, tanking through the race and putting it to bed in emphatic fashion. With conditions in her favour and potential for her to take another step forward, The Lark looks the one to be on here. NON RUNNER
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Creepy in the 14:00 at Cheltenham
Back Jack Dexter in the 14:20 at Ascot
Back The Lark in the 14:55 at Ascot NON RUNNER
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