Smart Catch got off the mark over fences when winning at Leicester last month and he holds solid claims of adding to that victory over the same C&D at 15:00. It wasn't an especially strong contest but the front pair did pull well clear and it is worth noting that Smart Catch had shown better form over hurdles a couple of seasons ago. With the Tony Carroll yard arguably in better form now than when Smart Catch scored in November, the seven-year-old gelding makes plenty of appeal from just a 3 lb higher mark.
Bincombe failed to complete on his chasing debut at Stratford (pulled-up late on) but he did shape much better than the bare result and can land the 15:10 at Wincanton. Bincombe jumped well in the main at Stratford, travelling strongly for much of the contest, but he simply failed to stay the 23 furlongs and should be much better suited by racing over two furlongs shorter this afternoon. As an added bonus, the handicapper has taken a chance, dropping Bincombe 5 lb for his latest effort, and he can strike for the in-form Hobbs team.
The best bet of the day comes in the final race at Leicester (15:30) in the shape of the Robert Walford-trained Voltchesko. Trading at a shade of odds-on in the morning, there is a good case for stating that the unexposed Voltchesko should be significantly shorter in the market having shaped with promise behind a subsequent winner at Lingfield last time. Making his handicap debut, Voltchesko was well supported, eventually sent off as the 11/4 favourite, and he showed much improved form, travelling strongly and pulling clear with a well-treated and thriving rival. Voltchesko's Lingfield conqueror, Proud Times, has since won by 14 lengths, so a 5lb rise in the weights doesn't appear harsh, and the lightly-raced four-year-old will take plenty of beating against a field of largely-exposed handicappers.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Smart Catch @ 4.216/5 in the 15:00 at Leicester
Back Bincombe @ 3.39/4 in 15:10 at Wincanton
Back Voltchesko @ 1.9110/11 in the 15:30 at Leicester
