Timeform UK SmartPlays: Sunday December 21

Lingfield 13:40 - John Louis

John Louis was fairly useful on the Flat and looks well handicapped over hurdles from a mark of 111. John Louis shaped with promise on his handicap hurdle debut in a warm event at Cheltenham - making headway along the unfavoured inside before that effort took its toll - and he then produced an even better performance when finishing runner-up to a thriving rival at Leicester. He didn't find quite as much as anticipated that day, so extremely testing conditions do pose something of a doubt, but he should still prove too good. 

Lingfield 14:10 -Umberto D'olivate

Umberto D'olivate was progressive over fences last season, racking up four wins, and he shaped as if a return to winning ways could be on the cards when finishing a close-up fifth at Exeter last time. Umberto D'olivate was well below par on his seasonal return at Chepstow, but his effort at Exeter represented a return to something like his best, and he could prove difficult to beat if building on that effort, especially as he relishes these testing conditions. 

Fakenham 15:00 - Six One Away

With the Webber stable showing signs of a revival of late, Six One Away looks an interesting runner in the novices' handicap chase. Six One Away showed only poor form over hurdles, but he shaped much better than the distance beaten would suggest on his chasing bow at Ludlow last time, racing with enthusiasm before faltering late on having done too much too soon. He ought to prove well suited by the drop back in trip and can get off the mark.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back John Louis in the 13:40 at Lingfield
Back Umberto D'olivate in the 14:10 at Lingfield
Back Six One Away in the 15:00 at Fakenham