Smith charge hitting form at the right time

West Country Andrew King

Sonny The One (1.40 Wincanton, nap)

Hardly a prolific winner but does keep galloping and connections are hopeful that things will pan out for him here.

Others to follow

Ascot 1.15 Topofthegame 1.50 Arpege D'Alene 2.25 Sausalito Sunrise 3.00 Cyrname 3.35 Cue Card
Haydock 1.30 Most Celebrated 2.05 Aux Ptit Soins 3.15 Kruzhlinin 4.55 Wonderful Charm
Wincanton 2.15 Bishops Court 2.45 Irving 3.20 Midnight Sapphire 3.55 Astre De La Coeur 4.30 Arden Denis 5.05 Dreamcatching.

Lambourn James Burn

Flintham(1.50 Ascot, nap)

Soft-ground slog should suit this relative of strong stayers Coneygree and Carruthers who shaped pleasingly at Chepstow after a long layoff last time and can go close if improving for that outing.

Others to follow

Ascot 1.15 Beyond Conceit, 2.25 Chef D’Oeuvre, 3.00 Oscar Hoof, 4.10 Bon Enfant, 4.45 Sweetlittlemystery.
Haydock 1.30 Final Choice, 3.15 Warrantor.
Kempton 5.45 Boychick, 7.15 Hairdryer, 7.45 Ibazz, 8.15 Swot, 8.45 Rustique, 9.15 Lord Cooper.
Lingfield 1.10 Flight Fantasy, 2.20 Verne Castle, 2.55 Van Huysen, 4.40 Smiley Bagel.
Wincanton 1.40 Financial Climate, 2.15 The Fresh Prince, 2.45 Yanworth, 3.20 Mckenzie’s Friend.North Colin Russell

Wakanda (3.15 Haydock, nap)

Won three good handicaps in a row last season and his best effort this campaign was when second at Wetherby on his latest start. Shapes as though this trip will suit him well and expected to go well again.

Others to follow

Ascot 2.25 Cloudy Too, 4.10 Dartford Warbler.
Haydock 2.05 Desert Cry, 2.40 Knock House, 3.50 Progress Drive, 4.20 Captain Redbeard.
Kempton 8.15 Cosmic Ray, 9.15 Man About Town.
Lingfield 1.45 Space War, 2.55 Coillte Cailin, 3.30 Fast Track.

Newmarket David Milnes

Dreaming Time (1.10 Lingfield, nap)

Ran a reasonable race when last of five on her debut at Wolverhampton last month and should relish this longer trip. Hugo Palmer’s filly has since worked well on the Al Bahathri.

Vieux Lion Rouge (3.15 Haydock)

Scored gamely at Aintree in a strongly run Becher Chase in December and David Pipe’s doughty eight-year-old goes well fresh and will appreciate today’s longer trip.Longshot Ed Quigley

Irish Cavalier (3.35 Ascot)

Got the better of Cue Card in the Charlie Hall and he has fair claims of causing an upset.Ireland Tony O’Hehir

Sonny B (2.30 Gowran Park)

In contention for a sizeable slice of the prize-money when falling at the final fence in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, the John Joe Walsh-trained ten-year-old drops in trip today and he can score for the second time over fences.