Timeform 1-2-3 Tips / Adam Brookes / 28 February 2011 /

Monday mornings usually bring a sense of optimism, especially if you have done your dough at the weekend, so here's a few horses that will hopefully get you your money back in time for Cheltenham.

Following a big, scopey mare who jumps and stays well, and who is improving with each race, is usually a solid formula, so here's hoping that Evella confirms this theory in the Mares' Novices' Chase (14:50) at Plumpton. Admittedly, her main rival last time, Donald McCain's Smuglin, failed to put her best foot forward, but it was difficult not to be impressed by the way Evella jumped, making all and readily coming clear of her toiling rivals. Whilst she will need to match her fairly useful hurdles form to defy a double penalty here, her accurate fencing should see her put even more pressure on the sloppy jumping of chief rival Asturienne.

A horse who's failed to win in 20 starts - that's what we have to beat in the 6f maiden at Wolverhampton. We'll Deal Again is the horse in question and his showing signs of temperament, added to the fact that connections have tried him over both a mile and 5f in his last three starts, suggests alarm bells should be well and truly ringing. Therefore, Dr Red Eye and Stand Beside Me will never get a better opportunity to land a win, and it's for the latter that we should plump after his two encouraging starts so far. A fourth behind Chimpunk last time, where he had subsequent winner Hoover four lengths in front of him, reads relatively well in the context of this race, and with his trainer and jockey in such great form individually, he has to go close providing he can curtail his tendency to race keenly.

In-form Lincoln entrant Dubai Hills stands in our way for the final leg of the treble, but the useful handicapper Captain Ramius (15:30) could just thwart his quest for a quintet of victories with a flourishing finish. Although it's difficult to be certain, there has to be a doubt over Dubai Hills being so effective on the Wolverhampton Polytrack as the Southwell Fibresand (four wins and a third in his last five races), therefore siding with a horse that is proven on the surface has to be the way to go. Kempton and Dundalk scorer Captain Ramius gets the nod after his eye-catching run over 6f last time when it looked certain that a step back up in trip would suit, and he gets the chance to confirm that opinion here. That run should have put him spot-on after three months off the track so he can win this before going on to better things.

Recommendations

Back Evella @ [2.08] Plumpton 14:50
Back Stand Beside Me @ [4.2] Wolverhampton 15:00
Back Captain Ramius @ [2.74] Wolverhampton 15:30

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