Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday April 25

Few trainers have started the season as well as Richard Fahey and we are hoping that the Malton-based handler can add to his tally with High Office in the 15:35 at Beverley. The seven-year-old High Office is on a bit of a losing run at the minute, but one thing we do know about the gelding is that he is extremely effective fresh, twice winning on his seasonal return and beaten by only a short-head at 33/1 in a competitive York handicap last year. He is obviously a lot shorter in today's company, though he still rates as a good bet, looking sure to be fully primed and certainly capable of defying a mark of 80.

A useful bumper performer when trained by Kate Walton, Matthew Riley (17:20 Perth) was off the course for nearly two years before reappearing for Phillip Kirby, finishing second on his hurdling bow at Newcastle. Considering the extended absence, it was encouraging to see him back that effort up, returning to the same venue just shy of a month later and this time getting his head in front. Making his handicap debut today, Matthew Riley has a bit to find with some of the main protagonists on the bare from, but he certainly remains open to improvement and it would rank as little surprise were he capable of considerably better over hurdles.

After a couple of disappointing efforts on the all-weather, the David O'Meara-trained Petrol got back on the right track last time, finishing an encouraging second, and he can return to winning ways in the 19:20 at Newcastle. That promising effort over course and distance confirmed the theory that the well-bred Petrol would be effective over middle distances and, still unexposed at this trip, he would appear to have extremely solid claims of winning today.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back High Office @ 3.8514/5 in the 15:35 at Beverley
Back Matthew Riley @ 3.7511/4 in the 17:20 at Perth
Back Petrol @ 3.6553/20 in the 19:20 at Newcastle

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