CON ALLEN can make the news for happier reasons at Leicester today. The trainer enjoyed a fine Flat season which saw his stable-star Spirito Libro win two valuable handicaps and reach a place in the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club Cup and Magnet Cup.

But the horse made the headlines last week when he was pulled out of the November Handicap in anger by his owner who claimed he could not get a bet on the horse at advertised odds.

It should be easier to get on stable-companion Children's Choice today.

Bookmakers will be keen to lay the mare who was unplaced in all six outings last term, especially as her trainer has saddled only two jumps winners in the past five seasons.

But Children's Choice has a fine chance to prove the point in the Desborough Mares Only Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

She is potentially thrown in at the weights, on a mark 3lb lower than when falling at the last with a lady riders' handicap at Huntingdon at her mercy last March.

This step up to two and a half miles will suit Children's Choice and the booking of Carl Llewellyn suggests Allen means business.

In-form Martin Pipe looks to have found the ideal introduction to jumping for smart flat stayer Daraydan who should brush aside his rivals in the Stoughton Novice Hurdle.

Beat son should take the Sir Emile Littler Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at Plumpton granted a clear round, having been in the lead when he fell three fences from home at Wincanton just over a week ago.

Punters at Southwell should wait for the last of the day's eight races for the best bet on the card. Moonlight Calypso has progressed with every outing.