Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday August 29

All three bets come in the space of little more than an hour, starting with Hamilton's big race of the day at 15:40. It's a competitive handicap, even more so than its grading would suggest, but it's not as hot as the race Size ran in at York last time, when he shaped a good deal better than his seventh-placed position suggests. Size raced too freely that day having raced close up, eventually paying for that after looking a threat two furlongs out. He'd had a busy spell in the lead up to that race, running three times within a week in June, but he won two of those three outings and, given the excuses he had at York, is probably better judged on those runs. The likes of Argaki will pose a threat, but current prices underplay how progressive Size may still be.

In contrast to that Hamilton race, Fontwell's 16:30 is at the other end of the scale in terms of its competitiveness. There are no solid bets here, as evidenced by patchy sorts Beyond and Nicky Nutjob vying for favouritism, but the most sensible risk to take would appear to be Pistolet Noir. Most jumps followers will remember Pistolet Noir as a one-time Triumph Hurdle hope. Those days are long gone, as a largely fruitless career in hunter chases over the last couple of summers is testament to, but a much-reduced handicap mark has resulted and today he makes a belated return to hurdling. What's even more eye-catching is that he's joined Richard Woollacott, who admittedly hasn't been creating the same waves as last summer but still probably rates as a positive trainer change from a small yard with just two winners in three years. With so much room to manoeuvre on old form (two stone below the mark he finished third from in a listed handicap at Aintree in 2010), Pistolet Noir is well worth chancing at around the 6.05/1 mark.

We return to Hamilton for our final bet, with their 16:45 the race we're focusing on. The race was won last year by A Southside Boy, who returns today from a 14-lb higher mark. He's full value for that rise in the weights, however, with his last two starts resulting in a win over slightly further here and an arguably-unlucky second at Ayr a month ago. Now only 2 lb higher and in no stronger a race, A Southside Boy looks generously priced to make it back-to-back wins in this race for trainer Jim Goldie at his local course.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Size @ 5.24/1 in the 15:40 Hamilton
Back Pistolet Noir @ 6.611/2 in the 16:30 Fontwell
Back A Southside Boy @ 4.47/2 in the 16:45 Hamilton

Have you checked out our new, improved Facebook page? It's the place to go for our features & tips!