All you need to start your day including going from all the tracks

There's a bit of a midweek treat at Thurles on Thursday, with the return to the track of Apache Stronghold, winner of the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase in 2015 but not seen since finishing third at that year's Punchestown festival.

He takes on four rivals in a Listed chase, most of whom have shown smart form in patches, but Bachasson looked progressive when last seen in February.

Three of the four British cards stage a Class 2 handicap. Market Rasen and Wincanton are supplemented by Newcastle in the afternoon, with Chelmsford taking over in the evening.

Going report

Market Rasen first race 12.10
Good to soft, good in places (GoingStick Hurdle 7.0, Chase 6.8 on Wednesday at 7am)
Rail movement; Races 1,6 & 7 +153yds, R2 & 3 +198yds, R4 & 5 +216yds

Wincanton 12.20
Soft, heavy in places (GoingStick Hurdle 6.3, Chase 6.0 on Monday at 7.45am)
Rail movement; Races 1, 2 & 5 +33yds, R3 +24yds, R4 +12yds, R6 +22yds

Thurles 12.30
Heavy

Newcastle 1.50
Standard (AW)

Chelmsford 5.55
Standard (AW)

Market movers

Wincanton 12.20
Scrumpy Boy 11-2 (from 7)

Market Rasen 2.45
Marjus Quest 6-1 (from 8)

Newcastle 4.05
Atletico 4-1f (from 6)

What to back

Nick Watts is gone in ten seconds as he gives his best bet on the day.

What to read

Any questions about the new rules over declaring wind operations? This piece should answer them.

Does it feel like there are more small-field races at the moment than usual? Alan King offers his opinion, while suggesting that this is nothing new.

What to watch

Lee Mottershead discusses the change to rules regarding the public knowledge of wind operations.

The best of Racing Post Sport

In the Thursday column, Bruce Millington weighs in on the Cheltenham ground debate and praises a couple of ITV initiatives.

The Ashes are also under way as of this morning. Don't miss the view from Down Under from Alex Lavelle, editor of Melbourne's The Age.

Final thought

Any analysis of the change in rules regarding wind operations need be no longer than five words: it is a good thing. Warning punters that they are no miracle cure is patronising in the extreme. As with any information available on race cards, it will be how the knowledge is applied that makes the difference. People might as well kindly advise that a string of 1s next to a horse's name doesn't make it Kauto Star.