Thursday tips: Dave Nevison shares his best bets

I backed this four-year-old at a short price when he ran and got beat off a 4lb lower mark last time out, so it is possibly unwise to side with him again after that. 

However, I believe he was very much unsuited to the dizzying, sharp Fakenham track and although Wincanton is not the biggest track in the country, the home straight is long enough to get him into his stride.

Catboy looked good at Fontwell and at Exeter (when he was ridden by this jockey) prior to that, and the slight step up in trip will definitely suit him.

Celtic Ned is related to several decent chasers and has evidently inherited the physique of a chaser, so it definitely seems possible that he will improve now that he has been switched to fences. 

He made his seasonal return in a handicap chase at Fontwell in October and ran well enough there plus has been dropped a generous 5lb, which means he is qualified for this low-grade contest.

The selection carries top weight (12st) here but, given his build, he should be capable of defying that in this grade, and if he progresses from his first effort over fences, he should be good enough to win this.

Given the form of the yard, it is fair to take a chance that Smarty Wild will be ready for this, despite missing out last season, and there is no doubt that he is the best handicapped contender here. 

The ten-year-old has been lowered 6lb since his latest start, and his absence from the track looks to be the only reason for him to be dropped as his three runs during the 2022-23 season were all decent efforts. He now races off a mark 3lb lower than his past two wins.

Philip Hobbs & Johnson White have barely had a runner out of the frame (one fell at the last when set to win) in recent weeks, and it is hard to find a stable in better form. 

With a horse returning from such an absence, a positive market move will be encouraging, and I will be watching closely, but he has to be the initial selection.