One key runner for each of the ITV4 races at Ascot and Navan on Friday

Everglow
1.20 Ascot
Sky Bet Money Back As Cash Maiden Hurdle, 2m5½f

Everglow has failed to win any of his four starts for Philip Hobbs but he has bumped into a couple along the way, most notably Make Me A Believer on his bumper debut and subsequent Grade 2 winner Star Gate last time.

Pitched into Grade 2 company on his hurdles debut, Hobbs returned Everglow to calmer waters to finish second behind Star Gate and a repeat of that effort should see him go close in this maiden hurdle.

Fighter Allen
1.35 Navan
BetVictor Make Your Best Bet Novice Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m4f

Willie Mullins has won six of the last nine runnings of this Grade 2 – he didn't have a runner last year – and is represented by Fighter Allen this season. Ireland's champion trainer clearly aims a decent one at this contest and Fighter Allen ran to a Racing Post Rating of 137 on his winning stable debut at Punchestown last month. He has a bit to find with several rivals who achieved an RPR of 142, but there's every chance he will.

Sir Valentine (left) has form behind Fusil RafflesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, 2m1f

Sir Valentine heads the weights of an intriguing handicap and will surely prove better than his current mark of 133 in time. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained seven-year-old put up some solid efforts in handicap hurdles last year, finishing third in the Betfair Exchange Trophy and fourth in the Betfair Hurdle. He's finished second on both of his starts over fences, but those defeats have come in small fields and behind smart performers Fusil Raffles and Malystic. Those two have won again since and are now rated 152 and 147.

Llandinabo Lad
2.30 Ascot
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), 1m7½f

In-form trainer Tom Symonds has another strong Grade 2 contender after last weekend's Cheltenham success with Song For Someone. Llandinabo Lad is unbeaten after two starts over hurdles, including a Listed win at Haydock last month. His strong finish in soft ground that day removes any concerns about conditions at Ascot and he sets the standard.

Llandinabo Lad: another strong Grade 2 contender for Tom SymondsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Sky Bet Noel Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m3f

Five out of the six runners in the Noel Novices' Chase have already gained some experience over fences, but Allart is the exception. Many will see that as a negative but it is fascinating that Nicky Henderson, who won this race 12 months ago with Angels Breath, is content to throw Allart straight into Grade 2 company on his chasing debut. The six-year-old finished a respectable fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, six places in front of Fiddlerontheroof, and could take higher rank over fences this season.

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