Storm expected to strike

Smokey Storm ran fourth in what looked a decent contest on his debut at Windsor and he should give another good account in the EBF Newhaven To Le Havre On Transmanche Ferries Maiden Stakes at Brighton.

After a slow start on his first outing in public, the son of One Cool Cat stuck on well in the final furlong to go down by just under seven lengths.

With the runner-up from that race having come out and scored subsequently, the form looks solid enough.

Although he is likely to be seen to better effect over further than this in time, Smokey Storm should be good enough to win a small race like this.

Gracecurch lost little in defeat when second on his seasonal reappearance and he is fancied to go one better in the Portsmouth To Le Havre On Transmanche Handicap.

The five-year-old’s form tailed off somewhat towards the end of last season but he looked as good as ever when finding only Ryan’s Future too strong on his return to action.

Considering he won a Bath handicap off a mark of 79 a couple of years ago, he looks well treated off just 57 and it would be surprising if he does not make his presence felt.

It is always worth following a filly in form and Atomic Winner is just that in the Welsh Guards Association Four Years Old Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow.

The French recruit proved quite disappointing on her first few starts over obstacles, but showed she had got the hang of the game when scoring comfortably at Huntingdon on her penultimate start.

She had little trouble following up round here last time and a hat-trick looks to be on the cards.

Bafana Boy returns to action after a 131-day absence but he can defy his lack of match practice with victory at Wetherby.

The eight-year-old has been mixing fences and hurdles with varying degrees of success, scoring over the bigger obstacles at Carlisle last October before running with credit at Wetherby.

His last run came over hurdles when a close second behind Anchors Away and given a break since by trainer Howard Johnson, he should be fresh for this race.

Poseidon’s Secret looks the class act in the Rocom Ltd Novices’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old finished a creditable second to Warsaw Pact on his latest start and has been the subject of some favourable work reports since.

Seemingly able to handle any kind of ground, Poseidon’s Secret will take some beating.