SILVERBURN 1:50 Exeter Lay at 2.0 or less

There's only 7lbs between the three main contenders here on official handicap ratings and, on that basis alone, it's hard to make a case for one of them being odds on. Silverburn is something of a talking horse, regularly given a good press by his trainer and attracting hype because he's related to Denman. But his record over fences is a modest 1/5 and my view is that he's basically a one-paced potential stayer whose jumping can be a problem. At this trip of just over 2M, I can see him being put under pressure as lack of pace forces Walsh to go for big jumps. Private Be is consistent, handles soft ground and finished ahead of Silverburn in the Paddy Power, whilst Nacarat looked potentially very good first time out last season and should go well fresh.

GOLDEN CHILD 2:20 Exeter Back at 3.7 or more

None of the six runners here has quality recent form and in this sort of race, I like to bet potential over winning form from the distant past. Golden Child has had just three runs over fences, finishing close up in the first two before a rather disappointing fourth last time at Carlisle. He's been given a break since then and, on the earlier form, looks to have a good chance against fully exposed and mainly out of form rivals. His record shows that he relishes very soft ground and he likes a right-handed track. Pass Me A Dime looks the main danger - he's a course winner over shorter, seems to stay this trip OK, but was let down by his jumping in a weak handicap at Sandown last time.