Trainers Harry Derham and Emma Lavelle will almost certainly leave their mark at Newbury over the next two days. Whereas Britain’s most successful trainers target the Cheltenham Festival in March with their elite horses, this talented pair are more realistic and aim their best horses at this two-day meeting. For both handlers it is their local track, prize money is good and the racecourse is fair to horses so there are plenty of reasons for wanting to single out the meeting.

The problem from a punting point of view is which of their horses to back. Derham is due to have six runners over the two days, while Lavelle is due to have no less than nine over the same period.

I will start with today’s card. I want to be on PALACIO in the Coral Racing Club Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (12.45 p.m.). Described by his trainer Sam Thomas as ‘a brute of a horse’ with ‘lots of ability’, this galloping track and decent ground should suit him well. Back him 1 point each at 11-2 with Betfred, Ladbrokes or Coral, all paying a generous three places in a seven-runner race. Most bookies are just paying two places.

Turning to Saturday’s card, I am backing Emma Lavelle’s GUARD DUTY in the Coral Bet Handicap Hurdle (1.40 p.m). He was an improving horse last season, winning two handicaps on the bounce early this year.

Forget his flop at Uttoxeter in mid-March as he scoped dirty after the race that day. Jockey Gavin Sheehan, who has won on Guard Duty before, takes the ride tomorrow so back the eight-year-old gelding 1 point each way at 8-1 with Ladbrokes, paying three places. There are four places available with other bookies paying four places.

The Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap........

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