In the 12.23pm handicap at Le Lion d’Angers I fancy Welcome Moon to run a big race on seasonal debut for Freddy Head.

The four-year-old ran away with a Clairefontaine handicap at the backend of last year off a mark of 29. 2020 will go down as a year to forget for Head and there are signs the yard is recovering form, particularly with first time geldings.

Welcome Moon had the chop last November and has been given time to come to hand before his debut. His maiden form with the likes of Porcelaine gives me the impression he can definitely progress from his current rating of 31. As a son of Intello he will relish the soft conditions here and it is interesting to note, especially in this grade, that he was a €150,000 buy-back as a yearling for Head’s family breeding operation.

Head has sent out Oxalis and Yorksea to win on their gelding debuts this year and let’s hope Welcome Moon will do likewise. History suggests the wide berth over this course is not a big negative and in the last race the first two home were drawn 16 and 14 respectively.

12.23pm Le Lion d’Angers – 1pt win Welcome Moon @ 11/1 (bet365, William Hill, Fitzdares etc.)