Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday March 18

Kings Apollo disappointed on his two most recent outings, but those efforts were on heavy ground and he is well worth chancing now back on a sound surface in the 14:30 at Exeter. Kings Apollo showed progressive form last November, winning twice and finishing an unlucky runner-up on the other occasion, but he has since proven unsuited by testing conditions, failing to jump with any fluency when making no impression at Ludlow last month, and he has wisely been saved for the better ground by his trainer Tom Symonds. Plenty of his rivals also have questions to answer so Kings Apollo, who has more in his favour than most, makes significant appeal.

Hotgrove Boy was only a poor maiden handicap hurdler, but he has quickly made up into a better chaser and his gradually progressive profile sets him apart from his rivals in the 14:40 at Wetherby. Back under less testing conditions at Sedgefield last time, Hotgrove Boy wasted no time getting back on track, racing with enthusiasm and looking in control from some way. He won with plenty in hand, even allowing for fact he enjoyed the run of things, and he is relatively unexposed away from the mud so could yet be open to further improvement.

Max Bygraves presumably hasn't been the easiest to train of late, but he showed on his return from a two-year absence at Cheltenham that he retains plenty of ability, and he can take the three-mile handicap chase at Exeter (16:10) this afternoon. Max Bygraves made his return in a strong-looking 21-furlong Cheltenham handicap and he fared well in third, keeping on strongly in the closing stages in the style of a horse that would benefit from the return to three miles. Wisely, Max Bygraves has been given plenty of time to recover from those exertions, and he is a well-handicapped horse if still capable of producing his best.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Kings Apollo @ 5.14/1 in the 14:30 at Exeter
Back Hotgrove Boy @ 2.245/4 in the 14:40 at Wetherby
Back Max Bygraves @ 4.94/1 in the 16:10 at Exeter