Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday October 26

Though it's still technically a 'Flat weekend' with the RP Trophy at Doncaster being the feature race, it's the time of year to make hay over jumps, with so many unexposed horses making their return against more established rivals. A case in point is provided in Aintree's first race (13:55). The likes of Ifandwhybutnot have good handicap form to their name already, but they could be susceptible to the potentially well-treated Special Catch. At the Grand National meeting in April Special Catch shaped very well off a similar mark, being hampered early on the final circuit and still well back deep in the straight but staying on powerfully for fifth. It's difficult to say how close he'd have been with a clear run, but it's fair to say he'd have gone close. He's therefore worth plenty of respect returning in a race which is certainly no stronger.

We stay on Merseyside for SmartPlay number two, which follows in the veterans' handicap chase at 14:30. These races exist for two main reasons: firstly, to keep familiar/popular horses in training, but also to allow some of these exposed sorts a chance. It's the second point that's of more use to us- in fact, it's half the reason we're advising Fruity O'Rooney. This Gary Moore-trained 10-year-old was mixing it in open handicaps last season to good effect, placing a couple of times and winning in slightly lesser company at Fontwell. A recent spin around that track should have put Fruity O'Rooney right for this race, and with him having a game, front-running style that tends to suit this track, he's a standout candidate among a group of fairly typical veteran contenders.

Finally we switch to Chepstow, and the opposite end of the experience scale in handicap chases. Selection Ballinvarrig (15:00) will be making his first start in a handicap of any description and only his fifth overall, but he's promised much to come. That was never more the case than on his chasing debut last time, when he loomed up in a strong maiden at Uttoxeter before coming home in his own time once lack of a recent run told. It looks as though something like this has been the plan all along for Ballinvarrig and the handicapper has played his part in facilitating it, the starting mark of 117 he's allotted to Tom George's charge seeming lenient on the evidence on Uttoxeter.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Special Catch in the 13:55 Aintree
Back Fruity O'Rooney in the 14:30 Aintree
Back Ballinvarrig in the 15:00 Chepstow

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