Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday June 6

Saeed Bin Suroor trains our final SmartPlay

We're casting a wide net for today's SmartPlays, with bets from the North, South-East and West...

It's the jumps fixture at Ffos Las that first comes under our attention, with their three-mile handicap chase at 16:35 the focus. As a Class 3 containing a fair number with recent winning form, this rates as an above-average summer contest; even so, there is one with a stand-out profile. Royale Knight is a most progressive handicapper in the care of Richard Newland, whose charges are generally worth siding with for a while once they get on a roll. That certainly applies to Royale Knight, who won in such an authoritative manner at Kelso last time that a penalty shouldn't be enough to stop him following up. There's a case for him being closer to even-money, so you needn't fear getting involved at current odds.

We don't have long to wait for SmartPlay number two, which runs in Thirk's 17:00. The race will mark Wood Ditton winner Ajraam's second start and he's bound to be popular, especially with his debut working out as favourably as you'd expect. Ajraam seemed to have more idea of his job than most of rivals that day, though, so whether he'll improve enough to defy a mark of 90 at the first time of asking isn't for certain and certainly isn't worth taking odds of around 3.02/1 about. Instead, oppose him with second-favourite Henry The Aviator. We can be pretty sure that Mark Johnston's charge is ahead of his mark, as last time he found only King George River (second in listed company since) too good and is now just 1 lb higher. The fact that Henry The Aviator is a US-bred making his turf debut is the only real unknown, and he looks a solid alternative to the favourite.

Sandown's evening card, specifically the 19:25, rounds off our punting day. It's a fairly competitive race, as you'd expect given the course, so there are no certainties, but there is a strong possibility that Godolphin's Volcanic Wind is better than his current BHA rating of 82. He won a maiden last autumn, soundly beating Tropics, who came clear of the rest that day and is now a very useful handicapper. Volcanic Wind's subsequent starts at three were somewhat disappointing, though there was a lot more to take from his recent reappearance at Haydock. He needs to prove his effectiveness of turf (which shouldn't be an issue on breeding) and come on for that run, but if he does Volcanic Wind has outstanding claims here.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Royale Knight @ 2.6813/8 in the 16:35 FFos Las
Back Henry The Aviator @ 4.03/1 in the 17:00 Thirsk
Back Volcanic Wind @ 4.77/2 in the 19:25 Sandown