THE PICK of today's jumps action takes place at Chepstow where Apple Joe (2.40) has been found a decent opportunity to get back on the winning trail.

Apple Joe finally broke his duck at Plumpton last month when outgunning Captain Clooney for a 15-length victory. He followed up with an even better effort by chasing home Tipp Top Lord over today's course and distance, prior to running like the proverbial drain at Fontwell last time out.

The world of horse racing is awash with excuses for poor performances, some far more plausible than others. In the case of Apple Joe, I think it is safe to consign his Fontwell outing to the trash can on account of the unseasonably fast ground that day, which was totally unsuitable for the mud-loving gelding.

Now back on a rain-softened surface, Apple Joe looks poised to make a welcome return to the winners' enclosure in the hands of the smart young jockey, James Davies, who has been attracting rave reviews, not least for his brilliant ride aboard Inigo Jones at Hereford on Tuesday.

Davies could also be on the mark in the later Piercefield Novices Handicap Chase with Diamond Hall (3.50).

Despite Diamond Hall being beaten a country mile by Rum Pointer at Towcester recently, he still managed to get round, even though his jumping was nothing short of shocking.

Judged on last season's form, there's no doubt he's capable of a far more fluent exhibition, and if that does prove to be correct, Diamond Hall could get in the shake-up at a rewarding double-digit starting price.

Crocadee (4.25) is the class act in the following Laser Handicap. The only worry revolves around his ability to shoulder top-weight in what is likely to be very sticky ground.

The Venetia Williams-trained near veteran has been plagued by injury problems in the last three seasons, making the track on just three occasions during that time.

But when at the peak of his powers he collected a brace of Grade 2 novices chases, by far and way the best available form on offer in the £7,500 two-mile contest.

Richard Hughes, fresh from a sparkling treble at Lingfield yesterday, returns to the Surrey venue with a cracking chance of landing the seven-furlong maiden courtesy of Instructor (1.55).

Richard Hannon's three-year-old has always been held in quite high regard and Instructor is therefore fully expected to get off the mark at the fourth attempt.

The handicapper has hammered Mark Johnston's Golden Quest for his bloodless Wolverhampton success, so he's passed over in favour of the dual course winner, Barathea Dreams (4.10).

Stan Moore's representative bolted up last time out, a triumph for which he incurred a 6lb penalty - probably not enough to stop him completing his hat-trick while in such superb fettle.

* Andrew Thornton fancies the chances of his Martell Cognac Grand National mount Swansea Bay.

Thornton has won on five of the six occasions he has partnered the Peter Bowen-trained eight-year-old, including Haydock's Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase.

The only time the combination have tasted defeat was when they finished seventh to Edredon Bleu in the Pertemps King George VI Chase.

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