UNGARO 5:10 Ayr Lay at 2.5 or less

Ungaro has long been a frustrating character and he's now been beaten 16 times since his win at Kempton as a novice in December 2006. Although he has a couple of minor wins to his name on left-handed tracks, he's always seemed to me to be better going the other way, but on recent evidence he's simply in decline regardless of the track. His current official handicap rating of 137 suggests he's well in here, but I'd say something closer to 120 would be a more accurate indicator of his ability nowadays - and on that basis, he'll struggle against the current form of Andrew Nick, who looks comfortable with a l-h track, and Bagan showed enough off 135 on his return at Bangor to get involved here as well.

BLAZING BAILEY 6:45 Cheltenham Back at 3.8 or more

Rain at Cheltenham altered conditions yesterday and the ground is now officially good to soft, soft in places over hurdles, with more rain expected before the meeting starts. Blazing Bailey has plenty of form on soft and heavy ground and he looks very much favoured by such conditions against these four rivals - I just hope their trainers aren't persuaded to withdraw and spoil the price. Although he's failed to cope with the new stars on the block, Big Bucks and Punchestowns, neither have any of the other staying hurdlers and this race represents a much easier test than he's faced so far this season. With Tazbar and Hills Of Aran seeming not to relish Cheltenham and Franchoek a doubtful stayer, Blazing Bailey has the novice Definity as his main rival and he's been kept away from soft ground this winter.