THIS week feels very much like after the Lord Mayor’s Show. But before any of us can blink the three-day Aintree meeting will be upon us, in 16 days in fact. It’s been a while since we did a Dark Horses piece but a few catch the eye today. SUNBLAZER was a tough and consistent horse on the flat, winning twice. He makes his hurdling debut at Wetherby in the opener and has already been well supported this morning. Kim Bailey wrote on his blog that he is expecting a bold show and he is clearly expected to run well.

At Exeter it will be a big surprise if SEEBRIGHT fails to make a winning chasing debut for Victor Dartnall. He will appreciate the decent ground. More value could be offered by another horse making his debut over the bigger obstacles. OSCARSLAD had winning form for Paul Nicholls but has been off the track since May 2012. With his jockey taking off 7lb, he could be pretty well handicapped.