Five to follow on Saturday at Ascot, Haydock and Gowran

Tipster: Dave Nevison

Best odds: 3-1

Throatlash’s recent win over this course and distance last time out looks a strong effort already and he can complete the four timer here. 

Previous easy wins at Wetherby and Aintree teed him up nicely for that success and a 5lb rise looks lenient, especially the second and fourth gaining subsequent victories. 

He obviously appreciated this step up to 2½ miles last time and gets on very well with Brian Hughes, who has ridden him to all his chase successes. 

Tipster: Johnny Ward

Best odds: 3-1

Tipster: Martin Dixon

Best odds: 11-2

It is a negative that Ben Sutton isn't able to use his usual claim in this Grade Two novice contest but I'm still happy to have a small bet on Ubatuba at 11-2 at the time of writing given that he's created such a striking impression on both of his Rules starts.

First time out at Leicester he was very strong in the market and justified it in style, powering away from the second last, and then in a better race last time he was again dominant, ridden more confidently and readily picking off the reopposing Skuna Bay and the talented Starzand. He handles testing ground and I'm expecting more improvement stepping up in trip. 

Tipster: RaceiQ, plus Dave Nevison, Martin Dixon and Andy Stephens

Best odds:  12-1

Andy writes:  Monbeg Genius been something of an underachiever since finishing on the heels of Corach Rambler and Fastorslow in the Ultima at Cheltenham three years ago, but he ran well in the Welsh National for the second successive year last time, when keeping-on to be fifth on ground that was probably livelier than he prefers.

His jumping can be a weapon when he’s on song and he’s slipped to the same mark as when beating Richmond Lake at Uttoxeter this time last year. Moreover, the O’Neill yard is in better shape than for a while, enjoying six winners and eight places from 25 runners this month. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens

Best odds: 9-1

Off The Jury is worth a second look in the Pertemps Network qualifier, a race in which Doddiethegreat was runner-up in last year before landing the Final at Cheltenham the following month. 

He has still yet to win a race after 11 starts but was runner-up EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown in March and subsequentlychanged hands for big money in the David Maxwell dispersal sale. 

Mickey Bowen has kept him in maiden/novice hurdle company in three starts this term, but now unleashes him back in handicap company (just 2lb higher than at Sandown) over a trip he’s been looking for. In addition, the seven-year-old has had a breathing op since his latest run plus will be sporting a first-time tongue-tie. 

William Hill make him 9-1 but BetMGM are only a point shorter and are offering five places for each-way players, which looks the way to go. I cannot see him quoted in the ante-post lists for the Pertemps Final, but he’s one for your shortlist.