Friday tips: Dave Nevison has three bets at Wetherby and Newmarket

There might not be any eight runner-plus handicaps to get stuck into at Wetherby on Friday afternoon, but there's some decent action nonetheless, and this Listed event is definitely the best juvenile hurdle run so far this season. 

Liam Swagger was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his jumps debut last time out, and he didn’t let his supporters down. 

He jumped in very proficient style and ended up beating two previous hurdle winners in good style. Winners only carry a 3lb penalty in this contest, and I think he could well beat several fellow hurdle winners here. 

He certainly looks a very promising juvenile for this stage of the season, and is the one to side with.

Optiva Star might have run a little better than his last two placings suggest as he certainly went for home a little too early last time at Brighton plus he got carried right at Epsom on his penultimate start. 

He has left the Richard Hannon yard and joined the much smaller Charlie Wallis stable, and if he adapts to his new surroundings, he might be ready to win again. 

He is down to his latest winning mark and also ran a few decent races off marks in the 70’s earlier this season. A mile and easy ground are perfect for him and I am hopeful of a decent first run for his new yard.

Mark Gillard had a double over Jumps last week but his runners on the Flat, including this four-year-old, have also been going very well lately. Hopefully Chourmo can keep the good run going here. 

The selection got caught in the dying strides and was beaten a short head at Brighton last time out but the winner, Cresta Cat, is improving and has already gone on to score again since, so the form looks strong for the grade. 

The Cambridgeshire distance is a real test up the Rowley Mile but Chourmo stays further than nine furlongs and he has a strong chance of gaining compensation for his recent narrow defeat.