Dave Nevison top tips: best bets over jumps on Wednesday

This horse was a better chaser than a hurdler when he ran in France but was kept over hurdles during his first season with Venetia Williams, running creditably on more than one occasion.

It looks very much as though he is likely to come good in this country judged on his first run over fences for the yard. Making his seasonal debut he was still going well four out at Chepstow but then had to be switched to avoid trouble and couldn’t pick up again afterwards.

He has been dropped a couple of pounds for that reappearance effort and is very well handicapped on French chase form. In-form Ned Fox takes a further 5lb off and this could be a good opportunity for Georges Saint.

Williams is currently in one of her hot runs of form and even in a competitive race of its type Lagonda may be a good bet to win on her seasonal reappearance.

The eight-year-old mare is a winning pointer and shaped very encouragingly on her novice chase debut, finishing a good head second to Lazy Sunday, who has subsequently been raised 22lb, at Exeter.

She was perhaps surprisingly switched back to hurdles after that run but ran an excellent fifth in the Mares’ Final at Newbury and then went on to win a maiden at Chepstow.

She has a full season to run in novice chase events and should certainly pick up a couple. Heavy going is not an issue and Lagonda appeals as the day’s best bet in a race that could yield future winners.

Boston Joe has been a bit of a white knuckle ride (and watch) despite his obvious ability but I am hopeful that a return to this Welsh course, where he got off the mark, will give him confidence over the jumps.

He jumped fluently apart from one small error when last in action at Ffos Las. He won at Wincanton last time even though he won he seemed to want to go left, so hopefully a return to this course will suit.