Sky Pirate (5/1) looks a smart recruit to the professional ranks

The interview with Tom Lacey in One Jump Ahead is proving a terrific addition. Hot on the heels of Kateson's (16/1) winning debut at Chepstow on Sunday, the Herefordshire based handler made it clear on page 72 he rated his former inmate and winning pointer Sky Pirate (5/1) very highly. Sold for £150,000 in March having won his sole point at Larkhill the previous month, he joined Jonjo O'Neill and the Midnight Legend gelding made the perfect to his Rules career at Worcester this afternoon. Contesting a two and a half miles novices' hurdle at the Midlands track, he proved far too good for red hot favourite Kings Ryde and scored by three and a quarter lengths. Aidan Coleman only had to shake up his mount to get the better of Nicky Henderson's charge as he sauntered clear on the run to the second last. It was a most promising start by the four year old.

Audacious Plan was one of my selections for the Email Service nine days ago at Uttoxeter. Dr Richard Newland's gelding finished second on his first run for his new connections in a three miles handicap chase. Reverting to hurdles off a six pounds lower mark at Huntingdon, the former Rebecca Curtis trained gelding made no mistake under conditional rider Chris Hammond and ran out a twelve lengths winner. Typical and, needless to say, I didn't back the eight year old either. Well done to ValueRacingClub.co.uk though - he looks another cracking addition to their team of horses and looks a bargain buy at only £8,500.

I am heading to Wetherby tomorrow for their first meeting of the season - it looks a competitive day's action and one I am looking forward to. Please head to the Publications section of the site if you would like to order a copy of One Jump Ahead and the Updates.