Sick As A Parrot, Brian.

Good morning all,

Any hopes of a trip to Worcester were dashed first thing (well, in the night actually) and a temperature at 38.3 kicks in and frankly I can barely move. Just feel absolutely washed out and I'll be back in bed as soon as I've written today's piece. Apologies if it's not the usual standard but I'm really not up to a lot this morning.

Absolutely gutted I didn't put Mariah's Legend up as the selection yesterday. She was one of my ten to follow at the beginning of the season (if you've not got those and want them, drop your email in the comments) but hadn't progressed as I thought she would, mainly because she wasn't settling. There were no issues on that score yesterday and she looked a different horse, scooting up at 33-1. Now she knows what it's all about she should win more.

Three races looked at today. 

Kempton

2.40 Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (2m5f)

Not too many front runners here and it's possible Templeross may revert to front running tactics. He seemed to enjoy them when winning at Ffos Las two runs back and rather sulked when held up in midfield last time. Has some form at the track and on the ground and is a fair price.

What to make of Doesyourdogbite? Can't be many Jonjo Novice Hurdlers that win at 25-1 as easily as he did at Hereford, but he showed that to be no fluke when winning over C&D last time. The speed figure was good too and this fast-improving sort simply has to be on the premises, you feel.

It was a poor effort from Will O The West last time but forgive that and you have a progressive sort on your hands. He really should have won at Cheltenham but for faltering at the last, and with that form working out okay, looks on a fair mark.

The juicy prices about Chesterfield have long gone but it's easy to see the case for him. I do like Seamus Mullins in theses quality handicap hurdles, his charges often outrun their odds – and there was more than enough in the run behind Brain Power at Ascot to suggest he retains ability.

It's obvious, but I go with Doesyourdogbite, who may be able to defy the weight rise.

Warwick

2.25 Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier (3m2f)

Normally these are a cheats charter for the main event itself in March, with most trainers looking to get their horse qualified yet protect the handicap mark, but most of these will be trying as their marks need to go up if they are to take part at Cheltenham.

The one that catches the eye is Cogry, who suffered a miserable time of it over fences but when reverting to hurdles, rallied gamely after making most of the running (over 3m) at Cheltenham and a 6lb rise for that still leaves him on a workable mark on chase exploits. The ground, the extra quarter of a mile and a liking for Warwick (for here 113) are all plus points and although there's a couple that will give him company up front, I don't see that as an issue.

It's not really happened for Barney Dwan over fences yet (although arguably unlucky last time) and he reverts to hurdles off what looks a fair mark. A Grade 3 winner in bad ground at Sandown last year, the big question is whether he will stay, which is just enough to put me off here. Definitely one to watch, though.

Angus Cheleda has made a great start to his career for Colin Tizzard (3-5) and takes a useful 10lb off Fourth Act, who reverts to hurdles off a good looking mark. Neither the ground nor trip will be an issue and I can see him running a big race at a price as well. Cogry for me, with Fourth Act the saver.

3.35 Betfred Classic (3m5f)

These staying chases become more like 6f sprints every day – the same bunch rock up for these races and more often than not you get a different result every time! It's hard to rule many of these out as most will enjoy conditions and in truth it looks a race to steer clear of for betting purposes.

I have got a soft spot for the old boat Knockanrawley, who enjoys these marathons, but I have him down as a likely one for the Midlands National this year and may need this after a layoff. Shotgun Paddy is a past winner of this (and finished third two seasons back) that is on a good mark, and can go well, and last year's second, Midnight Prayer, isn't without hope on the best of his form (and the yard going well.) But I'm going to have a small go at Spookydooky, a horse I've liked ever since his hurdling days, and a stamina test in the mud should suit him well. On a good mark after a few poor efforts but may have needed both efforts this year to get him fit. But as I say, not a race to go mad about.

Cogry is the selection today.

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.