Veblen Good's recent form is much stronger than the bare figures suggest. He won at Pontefract in April and has subsequently been competing in stronger sprint handicaps. Two starts ago he finished only one length behind Stratusnine in the Sky Bet Dash at York, and last time at Pontefract he again finished fourth despite having to make his challenge on what appeared to be a less favourable part of the track.
Most importantly, his mark has now eased again. He's only 1lb above the rating from which he won at Pontefract, despite demonstrating since that he can compete in better races.
Today's race should also have plenty of early pace, which suits him. Conor Whiteley takes 5lb off, effectively making his weight situation even more attractive.
It isn't an easy race — Anyasi is a major danger after winning at Leicester and is now around 3/1, while Lord Roxby is a solid 7/1 chance after...

This one interests me more now than it did last night because the actual market has given us a considerably better price than the forecast.
Sharp Move has only raced three times. He improved enormously from his debut to win a Newcastle maiden by seven lengths over 1m2f, then returned from a lengthy break at Southwell last month and finished eighth over 1m4f.
I'm prepared to forgive that comeback.
He was returning from a significant absence, the 1m4f may have stretched him, and William Haggas now immediately drops him back to 1m2f for his handicap debut from OR80.
That is potentially a very exploitable mark if his Newcastle performance is representative of his actual ability.
The other significant factor is William Buick taking the ride. This looks much more like a horse being brought along steadily than one whose limitations have already been exposed.
There are dangers everywhere...

Model Rating: 94/100 | Win Probability: 36% | Fair Odds: 7/4 | Available/forecast: ~5/2 | Grade: A+
Rocky's Diamond is the strongest horse in Friday's portfolio on established ability. His official rating of 147 gives him the clear numerical standard in this field, and that rating is backed up by genuinely high-class staying hurdle form rather than flattering handicap performances. He finished fourth in last season's Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and returned to winning ways over 3m1f at Kilbeggan earlier this month.
His subsequent switch to fences at Tramore was respectable without being spectacular, but reverting to hurdles and returning to a full three miles looks much more suitable. Connections also reach for first-time cheekpieces, while Michael Kenneally claims 5lb, improving an already attractive weights-and-ratings position.
There is plenty of depth behind him. Clay Pigeons...

Model Rating: 91/100 | Win Probability: 30% | Fair Odds: 7/3 | Forecast: 3/1 | Grade: A
Person Of Interest has started to fulfil his potential over fences.
His recent sequence of 9-U-6-1-2 includes a breakthrough chase victory followed by a good second at Stratford, where he was beaten by the progressive Thickthorn Tom. That runner-up effort was strong enough to earn an RPR of 116, while tomorrow he competes from OR110.
Harry Cobden retains the ride for Faye Bramley, which is an obvious positive, and the six-runner structure should help. He isn't dependent on luck in running and should be able to obtain a comfortable stalking position before attacking down the back.
The opposition is credible. She Is For Me Boys has C&D-winning form and runs from the same OR110, while A Little Something and Merely A Detail have enough ability to threaten if producing clean rounds.
Person Of...