The team are back with two selections from the feature meeting on Friday, the opening day of the Newbury Winter Carnival…

The return of Strong Leader in the 3m Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle should be the highlight of Friday's card, facing three rivals. A big-framed gelding, the seven-year-old has always shaped like a horse who continue to progress physically with age and he fulfilled that potential when ending last season with a win in the 3m½f Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle over Buddy One. Whilst some of his Graded form from last season would not suggest he is head and shoulders above these, Olly Murphy's charge is expected to be an improved horse this season and can cement his position in the top echelons of the staying hurdling division.

The current general price of 4/5 may not appeal to some punters but Strong Leader faces what is arguably handicap opposition – with the sole exception of Langar Dan. Whilst Dan Skelton's gelding placed in Graded company at the end of last season, he is known to show his best form in the spring.

WIN – STRONG LEADER – 4/5

Masaccio appeals on current prices in the 2m4f Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase, having recorded a course and distance success in the opening meeting of the jumps season at Newbury. Whilst the form-book would suggest he has plenty to find with current favourite Captain Teague, beaten nine-and-a-half lengths behind that rival in the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle in December – the grey appeared to relish the switch to fences despite a mistake four-out when prominent.

The Alan King-trained eight-year-old appeared to be carrying a small amount of condition in the paddock beforehand and it would be little surprise to see Masaccio improve for the run, outrunning his odds of 6/1.

EACH WAY – MASACCIO – 6/1