'The clear first choice' - Keith Melrose with his pick of the early prices

Lord Roco
3.00 Ayr
1pt win at 9-2 generally

Return Fire has clearly taken to fences and looks like he will stay forever, but the race today for which he currently heads the betting is a different world to the 0-100s and 0-105s he has been winning of late. Against worthy opposition, he's the sort of favourite you want to try and get beat.

Personally, I am still toying with a two-horse strategy in this race as it is fairly warm as 0-125s go. The understudy would be Tim Pat, who is two from three over fences and cut out as though fitness was behind his poor run last time. The fitting of a tongue tie is just a little jarring, though, so the clear first choice is Lord Roco.