Apollo can take flight again

Easterby’s five-year-old backed to continue success

can land another decent pot in the Vertem Leading The Field Handicap at Doncaster.

Tim Easterby’s five-year-old returned to winning form in last month’s Ayr Silver Cup, and has good prospects of following up today despite a 5lb rise for what was a long overdue success.

Golden Apollo prevailed by only a neck, but was strong at the finish and appears to have got his eye in again.

MODAKHAR is at the other end of the experience scale, but is another seeking a second successive victory – and it may come his way in the 1st Security Solutions Handicap.

He won his novice with authority at

Hamilton in soft ground last month and should have potential off his opening mark for an in-form yard.

HAMISH may well go off at short odds but will deserve to in the British European Breeders’ Fund Conditions Stakes at Newbury.

William Haggas’ gelding arrives in this bracket on the back of a hugelyimpressive win in a valuable York handicap two weeks ago.

He dispelled any worries about handling soft ground there, so should be in his element again and will surely take some stopping.

Cheltenham’s season kicks off with a typically classy card, and it is

WHOLESTONE who catches the eye in the Matchbook Most Trusted Betting Exchange Novices’ Chase.

Rated 161 at his peak over hurdles, he is a notable contestant in the novicechase division and made a winning start when winning at Perth event last month.

GETAWAY TRUMP is the pick in the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase.

SELECTIONS: CHELTENHAM: 2.00 Braid Blue, 2.35 Getaway Trump, 3.10 The Big Galloper, 3.45 Wholestone, 4.20 Getariver, 4.55 Doing Fine, 5.30 Oakley.

DONCASTER: 1.50 Gold Souk, 2.25 Echo’s Love, 3.00 Camahawk, 3.35 GOLDEN APOLLO (NAP), 4.10 Celestial Force, 4.45 Modakhar, 5.15 Gamesters Icon.

NEWBURY: 1.10 Iron Heart, 1.40 Bright Eyed Eagle, 2.15 Mishriff, 2.50 Lady Adelaide, 3.25 Hamish, 4.00 Zeyzoun, 4.35 Smokey Lane, 5.05 Mr Smith.

DOUBLE: Golden Apollo and Lady Adelaide.