2.30 Southwell, Friday, February 10

In the 2.30 at Southwell on Friday, Custard The Dragon is 2-2 over course and distance and was far from disgraced when third, off today’s mark, when switched to Tapeta at Newcastle two weeks ago. John Mackie’s 4-year-old drops back into 0-70 company in first-time cheekpieces and is reunited with Joe Fanning, who’s ridden him to both victories at the Nottinghamshire track, so another forward showing seems on the cards. Recent course winners Fujin, Fortinbrass and Dark Forest should keep him honest, but the Kyllachy gelding can maintain his 100% record on Fibresand.

Selection: Southwell 2.30 Custard The Dragon to win

4.50 Lingfield, Thursday, February 9

The booking of reigning Champion Lady Amateur Jockey Serena Brotherton for a horse in a run-of-the-mill lady amateur riders’ handicap almost guarantees that it’ll start at short odds but, in the case of Starboard, in the Betway Handicap (4.50) at Lingfield on Thursday, short odds look justified. David Simcock’s eight-year-old escapes a penalty for winning an apprentice handicap, over a mile, at Chelmsford last week in convincing style and, with winning form over today’s extra two furlongs, is difficult to oppose. In fact, the Zamindar gelding won the Group 3 Prix Du Prince D’Orange, over 1 mile 2 furlongs, at Longchamp as a three-year-old and, although clearly not the force of old, remains well handicapped on his best form of the last season or two. Unfortunately, he’s unlikely to slip in under the radar, but Miss Brotherton can make what is, I believe, her first ride for David Simcock a winning one.

Selection: Lingfield 4.50 Starboard to win

4.00 Cheltenham, Saturday, January 28

In the Cleeve Hurdle (4.00) at Cheltenham, Unowhatimeanharry has done everything asked of him since joining Harry Fry from Helen Nelmes in October 2015 and, such has been his level of improvement in the last twelve months or so, he’s currently top-priced at 11/4 to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The Sir Harry Lewis gelding has won all seven starts over hurdles for the Dorset handler, culminating in a 4½-length defeat of Lil Rockerfeller in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot six weeks ago. A reproduction of that form should be plenty good enough to continue his winning streak and the even money available with Sky Bet, Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill could look decent value by tea-time on Saturday.

Selection: Cheltenham 4.00 Unowhatimeanharry (1/1 favourite with Sky Bet, Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill) to win

6.50 Chelmsford, Tuesday, July 19

In the 6.50 at Chelmsford on Tuesday, Certified made a successful racecourse debut over 6 furlongs at the same venue last November and can maintain her 100% record at the Essex course. The daughter of Raven’s Pass demonstrated her versatility when winning with something in hand over 7 furlongs on her reappearance, and handicap debut, at Wolverhampton two weeks ago and may be progressive enough to defy an 8lb rise in the weights.

In fact, the second and third from the Chelmsford race have both won since, so the form looks significantly stronger than it did at the time. According to trainer James Tate, Certified has always shown plenty of ability at home and was originally pencilled in for a £20,000 fillies’ handicap over 7 furlongs at Newbury in April, so the step up to 0-85 company should, hopefully, hold no terrors for her. Regular partner Luke Morris comes in for the ride once again, so everything looks in place for another big run.

Selection: Chelmsford 6.50 Certified to win