Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday January 7

Up first is what looks a competitive handicap chase over two-and-a-half miles (14:25) in which Lord Landen makes the most appeal of a number of unexposed contenders. He ran to a Timeform rating of 106 over hurdles when in the care of Andy Hobbs, and always looked a horse who would improve for the switch to fences. He looks potentially well-handicapped and shaped well on his chasing debut at Towcester when up against a seriously well-in rival. He should improve for that experience and a bold bid would be no surprise today, although there are dangers in the shape of last-time out winners Crescent Beach and Phoenix des Mottes and the similarly unexposed Meirig's Dream. 

It's a similar contest up next, this time over the minimum trip (14:55) and with the Aidan Coleman and Venetia Williams axis in top form, it seems foolish to oppose Massena. He probably would have won last week at Uttoxeter but for a bad mistake, and it seems likely he will make amends here. He won by a wide margin over hurdles at Wincanton in November and ran a very creditable second on his first attempt in this sphere at Newbury a week later. He looked a well-handicapped horse that day and this is a far less competitive contest; although Un Anjou and Missionaire will probably give him something to think about, he is a confident selection.   

Our final bet of the day comes in Leicester's closing contest, a handicap hurdle over two miles (15:30) in which the nod goes to another Williams-trained and Coleman-ridden contender. Santo Thomas is lightly raced for an eight year old and has won off today's mark previously. He needed the run on his seasonal reappearance over this C&D in November, and turned in a much more promising effort at Ffos Las last time in heavy underfoot conditions. The winner that day would have taken some stopping and he holds serious claims with no such rival to stop him here, although Vedani could be a danger on the back of his Cheltenham run.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at Leicester
Back Lord Landen @ 4.77/2 in the 14:25
Back Massena @ 2.26/5 in the 14:55
Back Santo Thomas @ 3.1511/5 in the 15:30