Stat Selector: Saturday 18 March

Whistleinthedark - 13:30 Kempton

Smart Stat: 20% - L J Morgan's strike rate with chasers at up to 2m3f

Whistleinthedark was going the right way over hurdles and he has proved progressive since sent chasing, taking a big step forward when making a winning debut in this sphere at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and improving further when following up in novice company at Wetherby last month. That was just a two-runner race but he beat a serial winner and he should have even more to offer over fences, while he also looks potentially well treated back in a handicap. 

Complete Unknown - 14:40 Kempton

Smart Stat: 24% - Paul Nicholls's strike rate with chasers running between 19f and up to 3m 

Complete Unknown developed into a useful hurdler but he proved better than ever when making a winning start over fences at Ffos Las in December, looking a natural over the larger obstacles and winning with more in hand than the official margin suggests. That form worked out well and he was sent off a short price for a Grade 2 at Warwick last time, his jumping not as fast and fluent as the winner but still losing little in defeat. A mark of 142 doesn't look excessive for his first start in a handicap over fences and he is the type that this yard will continue to get more out of. 

Asterion Forlonge - 16:15 Thurles

Smart Stat: 34% - W. P. Mullins's strike rate at THURLES since the start of the 2018/19 season 

It is fair to say that Asterion Forlonge hasn't quite hit the heights he once looked like doing over fences, but he is high class at his best, and he looks very interesting back over hurdles on his return to action. He comes out well at the weights here and his record when fresh is excellent, so with the trip, ground and course no problem, he is expected to take a fair bit of beating.