This could be a good day to side with Venetia Williams and Donald McCain, both trainers who have been firing in plenty of winners in recent weeks.
McCain's most obvious chance is with Chord (12.50) in the opener at Market Rasen. Having won off a mark of 76, he has easily the best Flat form on offer in this maiden hurdle and comes from a yard that can be relied on to have prepared him properly for a jumping career. As a dual Polytrack winner, his ability to run to form on a soft surface must be taken on trust but his limited turf form is not off-putting on this score.
Mitrash (1.30) is a more speculative choice but he could hardly have been found a weaker contest than Leicester's selling handicap for conditional jockeys and conditions are very different for him on this handicap debut than when he flopped on his last two starts on heavy going.
Williams is adept at running up a sequence with well-treated horses and Never So Blue (1.10) certainly falls into that category in Wincanton's first race. He broke his duck over fences at the second time of asking just two days ago, but this was hardly surprising, as he raced from a mark almost two stones below his current hurdles rating. With a 7lb penalty, he can hardly be opposed - sadly, the forecast prices in the morning papers appear optimistic, as he is already odds-on on the exchanges.
Gods Token (2.10), making a belated chasing debut for Williams later on the same card, goes well fresh and was in the form of his life when last seen, running a close second at Aintree's Grand National meeting. He may not prove a natural chaser but should have too much toe for these rivals in a race that is unlikely to be run at a strong pace. Interestingly, chief rival Sobers is owned by Paul Beck, a major owner in Williams' yard.
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