Wetherby

Course maiden hurdle winner BLUE CARPET was a good second on his handicap debut at Newbury in November last time and is selected to go one better this afternoon. Fellow novice Skuna Bay could be a big danger, however, with the step up in trip looking to be a good move. Stuart Edmunds won this 12 months ago with a 5yo who was going up in trip on his handicap debut and Arcadian Star, who has the same profile, is well worth a second look. The extra distance could also be a positive for Woodland Park.[Ben Hutton]