SPANISH CONQUEST 4:00 Taunton Lay at 2.0 or less

Spanish Conquest won by 12L at Haydock on Saturday but that race was weakened by several non runners and the placed horses were a fully exposed pair that would be rank outsiders in this better contest. He's now facing a small but decent field and I can see him being found out by a possible lack of pace and by the prospect of quicker ground. His one attempt on good to firm on the flat was a poor run and he never looked blessed with much pace in the sphere, his best performance coming on the slow surface at Southwell - given the amount of sand being kicked up, he probably felt quite at home round Haydock! With Hot Diamond and Postmaster both possessing better flat speed, I couldn't have Spanish Conquest at odds on round here despite his apparent advantage at the weights.

RYDAL PARK 4:40 Towcester Back at 2.6 or more

Rydal Park is a useful sort in point to point and hunter chase company, and he has the advantage of youth over main rival Back Nine. He won a point last month and there was no disgrace in his defeat by the Cheltenham winner Cappa Bleu previously. He then disappointed slightly in a hunter chase at Leicester, seeming to be waited with a bit too long and going on well at the finish. This looks a weaker race and his finishing kick should be too much for Back Nine, who had a desperately hard race to win at Taunton in February and switches to a less experienced rider today.