Sam King returns with two selections on Friday.
Cheltenham returns for the first time this season and there are a few interesting wagers to be had on the card.
The opening William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle (1.15) looks to be a competitive affair but I'm happy to side with the unexposed French Ship, who remains very much lightly raced in handicap company.
Trained by Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White, he shaped nicely when fourth behind the top-class Grade 1 scorer The New Lion and subsequent Sidney Banks winner Califet En Vol in a novice hurdle at Newbury before deservingly doubling his tally over hurdles with a smooth success at Taunton in January.
Sent off a 7/2 chance for his handicap hurdles debut at Chepstow on his return to action, he appeared to be travelling much the best when stumbling and coming to grief at the third last.
I suspect he would have gone on to victory at Chepstow given the way he was moving on the approach to the third last and assuming that tumble hasn't knocked his confidence, then compensation may await off an unchanged mark of 128.
French Ship – 1pt Win
Odds – 13/2
Alnilam looks just the type to do well over fences this season and he can make it two from two over the larger obstacles in the Holland Cooper 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase (1.50).
A runner-up in the Morebattle Hurdle last season, Alnilam made the perfect start to life over fences at Uttoxeter, jumping with aplomb throughout before finding loads for pressure up the run-in to get the better of the re-opposing Country Mile by three and a half lengths.
Dan Skelton's runner-up meets him on 5lb better terms here, but I don't think that will be enough to reverse the form, especially with Alnilam likely to relish the stiff finish at Cheltenham.
His trainer Olly Murphy couldn't have asked for a better start to the season having saddled a staggering eleven winners from his last 22 runners over the last fortnight, while jockey Sean Bowen arguably arrives in even better nick.
This unexposed son of Sea The Stars should have bundles more to offer and can remain unbeaten over fences.
Alnilam – 2pt Win
Odds – 11/4
