3.20pm G1 Stayers’ Hurdle

Impose Toi

This Stayers’ Hurdle looks very open and a lot are in with a chance, and that includes our outsider Doddiethegreat, winner of the Pertemps here last year. But I am very happy to be on board Impose Toi, who has gone from strength to strength this season, going from a mark of 148 to Grade 1 success in the Long Walk, and I think you can easily forgive him his second to Ma Shantou in the Cleeve last time. The winner was very good but the testing ground wasn’t ideal for my horse and we were carrying a 6lb penalty as well. If any substantial rain stays away, he should go well.

4pm G1 Festival Trophy

Jonbon

Fact To File will clearly take the world of beating here, as the winner of this race last season and a hugely impressive winner of the Irish Gold Cup this term. To be honest, he will be very hard to beat but if there are any chinks in his armour then hopefully Jonbon is the one best placed to take advantage. We all know his superb career record and he has got back in the winning groove with a couple of successes at Ascot of late. A lot of people say he hasn’t been at his best around here, but let’s see. This trip is what he wants these days.