Thursday tips: Maximum Offers worth second look

I fancy two chasing debutantes may dominate this modest novices’ handicap chase – Maximum Offers and Wicked Thoughts - and on this occasion Jamie Snowden’s charge may have the edge over his Paul Nicholls-trained rival. 

Maximum Offers is chasing bred and went up massively in price when put through the sales ring, so clearly looks the part, too. 

He finished runner up in his only point-to-point and ran consistently well in middle-distance novice hurdles last season. 

He has had a race this term, when running well at Uttoxeter, and now looks ready to step up to 3m for this. He goes well for Gavin Sheehan and, with the Snowden team in excellent form, looks set to go well if, as seems likely, he takes to chasing. 

This ex-French horse, formerly a useful Flat performer, had mixed results for two previous trainers in Britain,  been highly tried on occasions. 

Ellerton has now joined the bang in form Joe Tizzard yard and may well be ready to hit equivalent levels over jumps. 

He was backed off the boards for his stable debut at Wincanton recently and won in efficient style. He has been raised 7lb, which may seem a lot but such was the confidence behind him I suspect connections felt they had more than a few pounds in hand. 

He is in a stronger and much tighter handicap here but off bottom weight he could well go in again. 

Begin The Luck is due a change of fortune after a string of good efforts resulting in a frustrating run of second places. The well handicapped Tapley beat him last time but this opposition looks more exposed. 

Daisy Hitchins charge is back down into 0-100 company and, while he may be best suited by softer ground, his two good runs this season have come on quick ground, so there are no fears for me on that account. 

Robbie David, who is now getting rides for strong west country trainers, nearly always rides Begin The Luck and deserves a win on this gelding.