Timeform UK SmartPlays: Wednesday December 5

Ruacana will run in the 12:50 at Catterick.

Timeform suggest bets at both Hereford and Catterick on Wednesday...

Harry Fry is a trainer worth following at present after a great winter festival at Newbury, and it's worth taking a close look at his Highland Retreat in the opener at Hereford (12:40). A point winner in April this year, she made a successful switch to hurdles when landing an amateur novice event at Exeter, showing good determination to prevail as the first two pulled well clear of the remainder. Midnight Appeal and Return Spring have obvious chances, but the betting takes account of that and Highland Retreat looks worth backing in the win and place markets.

The 2m Juvenile Hurdle at Catterick (12:50) looks a fascinating contest, with a handful who have already tried their hand over timber lining up against some potentially decent recruits from the Flat. Chief amongst the latter group is John Ferguson's Ruacana, who was useful on the Flat for Michael Bell and put together a string of solid efforts, finishing respectable seventh in a strong-looking handicap at Doncaster on his most recent start. There are a number of dangers in the race, including last time out winner Right to Rule, who looked to have improved for two previous outings when scoring at Haydock but now has a 6lb penalty to deal with, and Moidore, who showed promise on debut over hurdles at Aintree but then failed  to improve next time and has a bit to prove now. So, with the dangers having negatives as well as positives, this looks a good opportunity for Ruacana to make a successful start to his new career. 

Back at Hereford, the novice chase at 13:10 looks a two-horse race on paper, with a couple of smart recruits from the hurdling ranks, Vulcanite and Salden Licht, both making their debut over fences, but slight preference is for Alan King's Salden Licht, despite the fact that he missed last season. Lightly raced over hurdles, Salden Licht won a handicap at Exeter in January 2011 and finished that season with a very respectable third to Oscar Whisky in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. If Salden Licht can transfer that sort of ability, then he'll prove too strong for Vulcanite, who does admittedly have the advantage of race fitness having won over hurdles at Fakenham in October. 

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Highland Retreat @ 9.89/1 to win and 2.89/5 to place in the 12:40 at Hereford
Back Ruacana @ 4.1n/a in the 12:50 at Catterick
Back Salden Licht @ 2.89/5 in the 13:10 at Hereford

Get open access to Timeform data for just 2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!