Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday May 22

The first selection comes in the 18:45 at Towcester where Barton Stacey drops back into maiden company having shaped better than the result on his handicap debut at Fontwell earlier this month. Sent off a short price on both of his previous maiden hurdle starts he is clearly thought good enough to win an event like today's, and it is hoped that the application of first-time blinkers will bring about the necessary improvement to see him home.

Next we go to Kempton and to the penultimate race on the card. Diplomatic has run a number of creditable races recently, scoring twice back in January and February. His latest start when second behind the reopposing Saucy Duck was a good effort, responding well, and he is taken to reverse the placings with that rival today racing off a similar mark.

The final selection comes in the 21:00 race at Kempton. Lucifers Shadow represents the in-form Sylvester Kirk stable and, having scored in a similar event at Wolverhampton last week, is fancied to go in again. The return to front-running tactics last time showed him to best effect and, with the potential for more improvement now stepped up to a mile, he can give backers a good finish to the day.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Barton Stacey @ 7.613/2 in the 18:45 at Towcester
Back Diplomatic @ 5.85/1 in the 20:30 at Kempton
Back Lucifers Shadow @ 3.7511/4 in the 21:00 at Kempton