The fitting of blinkers has certainly made a big difference to King's Bounty and the gelding can notch his second race in succession by taking the Steve Hammond Handicap Chase at Stratford this afternoon.

Tim Easterby's nine-year-old has proved disappointing on occasions but ran creditably over an inadequate trip with the headgear on for the first time at Newcastle in January.

The nine-year-old showed the right attitude on his most recent start.

He held on resolutely from Jordan's Ridge and subsequent winner Haut de Gamme over the extended two miles and six furlong trip at Kelso.

The return to three miles will be in his favour and, as he had no problems with the sharp Kelso course on good ground last time, three miles at this course should see him in an even better light.

Easterby can get Cheltenham week off to a good start with Pay Attention, who bids for her fifth win from only six starts in the Sean Shields Bookmakers Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles.

Although her last two wins have been at Towcester, she's also effective on sharper courses and the presence of at least two confirmed front-runners should ensure this is a fair test of stamina.

Her strong-travelling style will stand her in good stead for a race of this nature and she's taken to get the better of Voy Por Ustedes, who is sure to be thereabouts, despite conceding weight all round.

It's hard to look beyond the progressive Broke Road, who bids to complete the three-timer in the Ianwilliamsracing.com Handicap Hurdle over the same two-mile trip.

The nine-year-old has won four of his ten starts for Heather Dalton and was most impressive when scooting home by nine lengths in what had looked a competitive handicap at Kempton last week.

A 7lb penalty should not be enough to prevent a follow up and he's taken to get the better of Peter Bowen's Yes Sir.

At Taunton Paul Nicholls' Ho Ho Hill looks a very interesting runner on his handicap debut in the Last Orders Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles and three furlongs.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old has shown ability on two of his three starts over hurdles, including over three miles at this course last time, and he'll be well suited by the return to this trip.

Latin Queen's second placing to Medison over two miles and one furlong at this course has been very well advertised by the winner's subsequent exploits.

She gets the nod in the Licensed Victuallers Mares Only Maiden Hurdle.

The step up to the extended two miles and three furlongs will be very much in her favour and, in what looks a very ordinary event, she's taken to beat Venetia Williams' Sweet Oona.

Best bet at Plumpton's card looks to be Valley Ride, who showed a useful level of form when beating Von Origny on his hurdles debut at Huntingdon last time and he'll be hard to beat in the skybet.com Novices Hurdle.

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