Our first SmartPlay runs at Epsom
Timeform bring you a bet from three different venues on Wednesday...
An emphatic winner of the City And Suburban Handicap at Epsom two years ago, Spanish Duke (Epsom 15:55) returns to the scene of his most recent victory with questions to answer, but looking like a well-treated horse, racing from a mark 3 lb lower than the one he defied in 2011. Previously trained by John Dunlop, Spanish Duke is now in the care of Brian Ellison and it would register as somewhat of a surprise were the impressive Ellison unable to coax a win out of his, albeit tricky, new recruit. Spanish Duke has already run once for his new yard, shaping with promise at Pontefract as he stayed on well at the finish, and we will take a chance that a return to his favourite venue can see him make an overdue return to the winners' enclosure.
Our attention turns to Taunton this evening as we select the Alan King-trained King of Dudes to get the better of Paul Nicholls' Suerte Al Salto in the 17:55. Suerte Al Salto has strictly achieved more on the bare from, boasting fairly useful form in handicap company, but his attitude has been called into question on more than one occasion and, though he managed to get his head in front last time, his resolution is likely to be fully tested by Alan King's juvenile. King of Dudes was a fair performer on the Flat and he has taken well to hurdling, winning on his hurdling bow at Ludlow before recovering from an indifferent effort at the same venue to finish a good second at Doncaster. He was essentially out of his depth in the Triumph Hurdle, but this looks significantly less competitive and he can get the better of Suerte Al Salto.
Finally we take the rather long journey to Perth, concentrating on their final race, the 18:10. Phillip Kirby is making a name for himself as a trainer and appears to hold strong claims in this contest, saddling two runners in the shape of Jawaab and Platinum. The latter is certainly respected - in fact, he is currently trading as favourite at the time of writing - but Jawaab really caught the eye on his first start over hurdles for Kirby, travelling strongly for much of the way, and the assessor has, rather kindly, dropped him 3 lb for that effort. Jawaab looks well treated and with the visor - which was used to such good effect on the Flat - applied for the first time in this sphere, he looks to hold sound claims of winning.
Timeform SmartPlays:
Back Spanish Duke @ 5.14/1 in the 15:55 at Epsom
Back King of Dudes @ 2.6413/8 in the 17:55 at Taunton
Back Jawaab in the @ 4.57/2 18:10 at Perth
Punchestown Race Cards only 2 at timeform.com! 
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