AP McCoy is four short of the 4,000 winner mark but he has just three rides at Kempton on Monday, so unless they all win and he jocks somebody off a winner, the media circus will converge on Exeter on Tuesday. And then Chepstow on Wednesday where a possible ride for AP is Mission Complete for his gaffer Jonjo O’Neill, which would be an apt 4,000th winner. Back at Kempton, I will be hoping ANNACOTTY enjoys better luck in the 2.05pm. He is a lovely horse and a real favourite of mine, and deserves another chance in the novice chase in the capable hands of Ian Popham. He slipped and scared himself last time at Exeter and Popham sensibly looked after him. Today’s three miles should be more to his liking and if he can bowl along in front and get into a rhythm he could take some pegging back.

In the opener, Volnay de Thaix will be all the rage but he will be a short price and has to carry a penalty for winning in the French provinces. DEVON DRUM could be a value alternative. He looked a really nice horse two seasons ago when winning a Newbury bumper before running creditably in the Aintree bumper won by The New One. He was just behind Court Minstrel and Minella Forfitness and ahead of the useful Many Clouds. This is his hurdling debut but he should strip fit after an eyecatching run on the flat at Kempton recently when he was a close second.