Thomas Hodgson provides two selections for Friday’s racing, focusing on both the jumps at Hexham and an exciting card at Ascot…

Hexham's new rollout of increased prize money has attracted some big fields on Friday, my first selection comes in the five-runner 1m7½f Martin Bowler Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase (15:30).

It is hard to look past Dan Skelton's Beat Box, who is looking to make it five on the bounce since changing yards earlier this summer. Skelton boasts an impressive record around Hexham, with a current winning strike rate of 26%. Jockey Harry Skelton has only made the trip to Hexham once before, and posted a double to make it two wins from a book of six rides at the course.

The mark of 115 appears to be workable, and it is likely that they are still ahead of the handicapper in spite of an impressive win going away at Worcester last time out.

It is almost a cliché to say that Dan Skelton is a specialist in getting horses to a suitable handicap mark, but the 13/8 generally available about Beat Box seems very generous indeed.

WIN – BEAT BOX – 13/8

Never So Brave, running in the 6f Bet MGM Handicap (16:30) at Ascot, has arguably been campaigned over the wrong trip for his entire career.

While Sir Michael Stoute's inmate boasts some impressive back form including strong seconds behind Group-winning Ancient Wisdom and Vandeek – the tank appeared to empty going into the final furlong on his last two efforts at Chelmsford and Chester.

Sprinting, therefore, seems to be the obvious conclusion, and a mark of 114 going into his third handicap start seems more than fair.

One has to be somewhat bullish about the jockey booking, with Ryan Moore taking his only ride of the day here before jetting off to Paris-Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting.

11/2 is generally available, which looks to be a sporting price even in spite of the 'Moore factor'.

WIN – NEVER SO BRAVE – 11/2