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Our man Sam has fancies at two venues
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Wellington can give rivals the boot at Uttoxeter
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Double can prove too Powerful for Kempton foes
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Wellington Arch didn't quite make the cut for the BetMGM Cup on Wednesday, but that might be a blessing as he looks to have a nice chance in this event, despite top-weight.
The selection emerged best of those that were left trailing in the wake of Tutti Quanti in a valuable handicap hurdle at Newbury back in February, coping well with desperate ground to take second, admittedly at a respectful distance.
A winner of a warm handicap at Aintree last year from the front, Wellington Arch returns to a track day which has suited him well in the past and, with his yard among the Festival winners this week, he could reward support in this competitive handicap.
Back Wellington Arch in the 13:50 at Uttoxeter
It has been well documented that the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Trials Day has historically been a good race to follow and, although the winner Jordans Cross found conditions against him on Thursday, runner Quebecois ran a blinder in the Ultima Chase on day one.
There have been a host of other excellent performance to emerge from that event in January, not least from Secret Des Dieux who completed a rather routine victory at Huntingdon last time in an uncompetitive event.
Trainer James Owen has wisely saved his novice for this event at a track where he ran so well on Boxing Day and the move can pay off with success here.
Back Secret De Dieux to win the 14:08 at Kempton
Three trips to the north Staffordshire venue have resulted in three victories and the son of Yeats could complete a magnificent four-timer at a price here.
This race represents another step up in trip for Fergal O'Brien's gelding, but a glance at his dosage index suggests there is enough stamina in the pedigree to justify the decision to target this three-mile handicap.
There was plenty of encouragement to be garnered from the selection's latest performance at Ascot where he took the step into Grade 2 company in his stride, failing by just a neck to resist Fiercely Proud late on for a stable who were completing a hat-trick on the day.
A return to his favoured stomping ground could see John Barbour find the Uttoxeter winner's enlosure for a notable fourth time.
Back John Barbour each-way in the 14:25 at Uttoxeter
For all the fortune, allied with undoubted ability, that Double Powerful enjoyed in racking up a winning sequence last season, the universe has wreaked some revenge this season.
A series of defeats over hurdles and fences, some not of his own making, have seen the seven-year-old still searching for his first victory of the campaign.
However, as has been evident at today's venue in the Lanzarote Hurdle and indeed over fences behind Zurich in the autumn, Double Powerful remains a highly capable dual-purpose operator and he could gain some compensation in this handicap with conditions looking likely to suit.
The booking of a resurgent Richie McLernon who starred on Johnnywho on day one of the Festival could be the final piece of the jigsaw.
Back Double Powerful each-way in the 14:40 at Kempton