Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday December 20

It may contain just the six runners, but the 22-furlong handicap chase for novices at 13:10 has an interesting look to it. Last-time-out winner Thorncliffer is currently favourite, but more intriguing could well be Gorgehous Lliege. He won a bumper on his debut but has been lightly raced since, showing his first form over jumps when fourth on his handicap debut at Ludlow last time. Well backed that day, Gorgehous Lliege appeared to go off too hard, eventually tiring and finishing well behind winner The Rockies, but the impression left (travelled well a long way) was certainly a positive one. Generously dropped 5 lb off the back his last run, if Gorgehous Lliege is given a more even ride this time there's every chance he can belatedly repay connections' faith.

An hour later, there is another handicap chase, this time over an extended three miles. With a good proportion of the field exposed, this could be a good opportunity for Chac du Cadran to get off the mark over fences. He's always looked a real stayer, his sole hurdles win coming at this most galloping track, and he looked as though starting to get the hang of chasing when just held off by Honest John at Doncaster last time. The greater emphasis on stamina today can only help Chac du Cadran, who is well treated on hurdles form raised just 3 lb for that Doncaster effort, while typically positive tactics could help in conditions.

Our final selection runs in a low-grade, three-mile handicap hurdle at 14:40. As you'd imagine, few are clearly interesting, to the point that it's a hurdling debutante who catches the eye most. Seven-year-old mare Bright Cloud has only two starts in hunter chases (placed in both) to her name under Rules, but she's a winner in the pointing field and has enough form in the book to suggest that a BHA mark of 75 significantly underplays her ability. The most obvious basis of this would be her Rules debut, in which she was still close up behind prolific hunter winner Special Portrait at the last before a jolting error there meant she eventually lost by 19 lengths. Nonetheless, she was clear of the rest and, with conditions unlikely to pose any problems, Bright Cloud can prove herself well treated today in a field which may not take much beating.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Towcester

Back Gorgehous Lliege @ 3.6553/20 in the 13:10 
Back Chac du Cadran @ 4.03/1 in the 14:10
Back Bright Cloud @ 4.03/1 in the 14:40