The busy Christmas and New Year period is behind us but there are still three meetings in Britain this afternoon and we begin our preview at Lingfield who stage an eight-race flat card.

In the 7f handicap for three-year-olds Depose is certainly bred to win races and connections will be desperate to get a win next to her name for breeding purposes. That said she has been a beaten favourite in her last couple of starts and she finished tamely at Kempton last time.

Richard Fahey’s Bendy Spirit has been a model of consistency and deserves to get his head in front. He may have caught a tarter in the shape of Splendidly last time while the drop back to 6f may not have suited. The vote, however, goes to Gold Brocade (12.45) who finished third at Newcastle last time on her first start for Mick Appleby – formerly trained in Ireland – and her new handler has a habit of improving horses from other yards.

The filly Dreaming Away (1.50) was sold for 37,000 gns back in July and she has not been seen since finishing second to the 100-rated Bielsa at Doncaster back in May when trained by Simon Crisford. The selection has her first start for Roger Charlton this afternoon and Hollie Doyle takes the mount.

Matewan is only 5lbs higher than when scoring at Ripon in the summer and has been beaten less than a length in his two starts including over today’s C&D last time. He must go close, but I am convinced there is more to come from Purdey’s Gift (2.55) who created such a favourable impression when scoring at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start and didn’t have the race run to suit at Kempton last time.

The opener at Ayr this afternoon is a hot novice hurdle and preference for Marown (12.30) over Blazer’s Mill is marginal on their belated seasonal reappearances. Blazer’s Mill finished runner up to Birchdale in his sole point and cost connections £160,000 back in the spring of 2018. He has only raced once in the interim period winning a Fontwell bumper back in February. He represents the inform yard of Olly Murphy.

Marown won his sole bumper at Newcastle back in March when he gave the impression he would certainly be suited by a trip over obstacles. The form is nothing special and the market should provide valuable clues as to stable expectations, but the nod goes to the Trevor Hemming’s-owned six-year-old.

The form of Teescomponetstrig’s (1.00) second at Haydock last time was given a boost when the runner up finished second at Ascot last week and he is taken to go one better for Gillian Boanas with Brian Hughes taking over in the saddle. The selection looks a thorough stayer and today’s extended 3m trip should suit.

Skyhill (3.10) is 7lbs higher than when scoring over 3m 2f on his first start over fences but is only 3lbs higher than when winning over hurdles at Kelso last month. He has the scope to rate higher over the larger obstacles and he gets for vote for Borders trainer Alison Hamilton.

Wetlands (3.45) as well backed on debut when a good fourth when he gave the impression, he would have appreciated a stiffer test of stamina. Granted a decent gallop he can leave that form behind for Brian Hughes and Nicky Richards.

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