Around the courses: a selection at each meeting on Boxing Day

Down Royal

12:00 – Alighted

Alighted won a strong bumper on his debut at Leopardstown two years ago and shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his hurdles debut 13 months ago. That form is just about the best on offer and he is expected to improve for this step up in trip. He can make a winning return.

Fontwell

13:50 – Flaminger

Flaminger was a hugely impressive winner of a handicap chase at Plumpton last week and should prove difficult to beat under a penalty. The four-year-old was making just his second start over fences but jumped brilliantly and looked a natural chaser.

Kempton

13:20 – Roll Again

Roll Again was an impressive winner on just his second start for Venetia Williams at Ludlow last week and is well treated under a 7 lb penalty. He has plenty more to offer for his in-form yard and looks set to launch a bold bid.

Leopardstown

13:10 – Aspire Tower

Aspire Tower was useful on the Flat and created a good impression on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month, quickening clear to win by 13 lengths. He wasn’t foot-perfect over his obstacles at Punchestown but is entitled to improve for that experience, and he is clearly a talented juvenile.

Limerick

14:05 – Bay Ambition

Bay Ambition won at Downpatrick in October and was in the process of running well on her handicap debut at Navan last month when falling at the second-last. She looked a big threat at the time of her departure, so seems well treated off just a 1 lb higher mark, and she is entitled to progress again having raced just four times under Rules.

Market Rasen

14:50 – Bells of Peterboro

Bells of Peterboro was unlucky to bump into such a well-handicapped rival at Exeter last time but he enhanced his reputation and can brush off a 4 lb rise in the weights. That was just the four-year-old’s third start over hurdles, so he remains open to further improvement, and a bold bid is expected under a promising claimer.

Sedgefield

14:05 – Never Up

Never Up fared better than of late when fourth at Haydock last time and he has slipped to a mark 1 lb below the one he defied at Carlisle in March. His trainer, Sue Smith, has been among the winners and the drop back in trip won’t be a problem, so he is worth siding with.

Wetherby

14:45 – Young Bull

Young Bull has progressed well over hurdles, striking at the second time of asking at Ffos Las before following up under a penalty in gritty fashion over this course and distance last time. His attitude is a big positive and he has been handed a fair opening mark, so is expected to complete the hat-trick on his handicap debut.

Wincanton

12:55 – Whitehotchillifili

Whitehotchillifili showed ability in bumpers – she finished fourth at listed level at Sandown – and produced an encouraging performance on her hurdles debut at Ffos Las in October, travelling strongly and looking the most likely winner for much of the contest. Her effort flattened out and she finished only third at Ffos Las but she should improve markedly for that experience and can get off the mark.

Wolverhampton

15:55 – Pactolus

Four-time course-and-distance winner Pactolus took this contest last year and can strike again. He ran right up to his best when finishing runner-up at Lingfield last time and is a dependable performer on the all-weather. He holds rock-solid claims.