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Magical Mossy a must to score again
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Recent comeback should put pick spot on
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Have faith in King ace to make winning return
Ludlow, 12.55 - Back Melton Mossy @ 2/13.00
Time suggests Melton Mossy did well to win this race 12 months ago when edging out Thank You Ma'am by a neck with Of Course You Can a further three lengths in arrears in third.
The latter has already won at the south Shropshire venue this autumn - landing a sizeable punt in the process - while Thank You Ma'am went on to score at Ascot two starts later and ended the season rated 128.
Melton Mossy currently resides on a more modest perch of 104, but hinted he was returning to his best with a creditable return to action at Ffos Las last month when staying on strongly in his favoured style to take the silver medal behind Order Of The Dance.
Chief market rival Ocean Conquest was forcefully ridden to win a novice hurdle at this venue on his comeback last month and I'm hoping he will set a healthy gallop once more as the selection favours attacking a collapsing late pace.
Back Melton Mossy in the 12:55 at Ludlow
Newbury, 13.05 - Back Believitanducan each-way @ 11/26.50
Alan King has enjoyed a fine start to the new jumps season and Believitanducan looks to have bright prospects of extending his trainer's fruitful autumn with success in this conditional jockeys' handicap.
Philip Armson was seen to good effect aboard the selection's stablemate, Ernest Gray, at Aintree late last month and today's mount begins the new season on a mark of 118 which looks extremely workable.
A good winner on his hurdling bow over course and distance last December, Believitanducan beat a horse which subsequently finished a highly creditable third in the juvenile handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in Liam Swagger.
Although King's four-year-old son of Make Believe was outclassed in the Grade 2 Hurdle back at Cheltenham on Trials Day, there is every chance that race simply came too soon in his education and it was good to see him display no ill effects when returned to the track at Stratford in March.
He bolted up that day in a race which may not have taken a lot of winning, but it should have served as an excellent confidence booster and he won at this venue last year following a five-month absence so fitness shouldn't be a major issue.
Back Believitanucan each-way in the 13:05 at Newbury