Sam King failed to fire with two selections yesterday, but he returns with a pair of wagers this afternoon both of which come from Chepstow.

Course and distance form can often come to the fore at Chepstow and Azahara Palace can get back to winning ways in the In Memory Of Adrian, Joby's Boy Handicap at 3.20.

Hughie Morrison's progressive filly made all the running to land a course and distance maiden on her first start at the Welsh venue and followed up over the same track and trip on handicap debut a month later. She bumped into an improving colt when going down by a neck at Salisbury last start and you'd have to imagine she remains well-treated given the pair were well clear that day.

The return to this course and distance looks like a major positive and this forecast good ground will be right up her street.

I'd expect Billy Loughnane, who won on her two starts ago, to be positive on the Hughie Morrison-trained filly and she can make most of the running to regain the winning thread off a mark of 73.

Selection: Azahara Palace – General 6/4

The concluding David Lucas Bookmaker Handicap (5.40) looks like an interesting betting heat and I'm happy to take a chance on Ezmerellda, who could improve plenty now stepping up in distance going into handicap company.

Alan King sends out just one runner today and it's interesting that this unexposed filly makes the journey to Wales given five of King's last fourteen runners at Chepstow have found the winners' enclosure.

Ezmerellda hasn't been seen since finishing down the field in a Kempton novice event 305 days ago, but it's quite clear she was never going to make much impact as a two-year-old and I like the fact connections have given her bundles of time to strengthen over the winter subsequently.

She did hint at ability when beaten just over eight lengths into sixth by the now 93-rated Bridestones in a mile maiden at Yarmouth on soft ground in October last year and an opening mark of 64 may well prove within range.

Stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time will almost certainly suit this daughter of Intello, who is out of a Dubawi mare, and the booking of Harry Davies, who has a healthy 21% strike-rate at Chepstow also catches the eye.

Market support would enhance interest in Alan King's filly but at a current general price of 6/1, she looks worth chancing in a moderate affair.

Selection: Ezmerellda – General 6/1