Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday October 14

The opening race (14:20) is an excellent demonstration, having attracted a couple of penalty carriers: Tender Surprise and Curragh Hall. Those two and juvenile Mercoeur are predictably short; too short. As a result, Osgood is priced up generously considering his recent record over hurdles. He won over C&D on soft ground back in May and improved again to win over a bit further at Fontwell. A subsequent poor run on the Flat can be ignored as he came into the Fontwell race on the back of a similar effort. Back under conditions that we know will suit, Osgood shouldn't be a double-figure price for this contest.

Of the five runners left in the 15:50, only two have chasing experience. It's one of the others, Trickaway, who we're most interested in. The arguments for him are simple, yet strong. Firstly, he enters handicaps well treated on his bumper form, a sphere that's never going to see a rangy point winner in the best light. Today's race is much more likely to bring out something like Trickaway's best, so if he's ready he ought to go close. Given he's been switched to fences for his seasonal reappearance after just two starts over hurdles, you fancy connections are in a hurry to get Trickaway winning.

Sometimes short prices can offer value, as is the case in the 16:20. It's a race that's cut up this morning, though Top Billingwas a value bet against limited rivals before and he's still a value bet against fewer limited rivals now. He's belatedly got his act together this summer upped to extreme trips, improving on each of his last two starts over C&D with AP McCoy in the saddle. His most recent run, an easy seven-length win, demands a rise of at least the 9 lb he received; at any rate, he stands out against today's opposition from a handicapping perspective, let alone a form one.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Huntingdon

Back Osgood @ 10.519/2 in the 14:20
Back Trickaway @ 2.447/5 in the 15:50
Back Top Billing @ 2.0811/10 in the 16:20