Sussex handler Mike Roberts can get off the mark for the season by sending out Frenchy Malta to spring a surprise in the Tangemere Novices' Chase at Fontwell today.
A winning pointer, Frenchy Malta created a most favourable impression on his debut at Folkestone behind Emerald Statement, jumping well and staying on under considerate handling to take third place close home.
Last time out, he occupied the same finishing position at Plumpton, finishing third of four finishers behind Padara.
He could well still have needed that run and the booking of Tony McCoy looks highly interesting.
Despite having had a poor time of it so far this term, Roberts knows how to handle a useful chaser and sent out Bitofamixup to win this very event last term.
Take a chance on Dancing Paddy, without a victory since December 1996, to regain the winning thread in the Tote Hurdle.
A former top-class performer, Dancing Paddy appeared to lose his confidence over fences after his last success and was switched back to hurdles later that season.
He ran creditably on his three starts over timber in the 1996/7 campaign but was well below his best last term.
However, over today's course and distance last month, Ken Cunningham-Brown's 11-year-old gave the impression his turn was near with a solid effort.
He set out to make all and was only collared approaching the last flight, keeping on to finish a seven-length second to Nordansk, with the other six runners well beaten.
Dancing Paddy has dropped a massive 28lb in the ratings since March last year. Although probably a shadow of his former self, he is worth a shot to land this handicap.
At Newcastle, the best bet on the card looks to be Fils de Cresson in the Town & Country Bars Novices' Chase.
Stepped up to handicap company at Doncaster last month he ran a blinder to finish second, beaten a length and a half by Hang'em Out To Dry.
A repeat of that effort would be good enough to see Fils de Cresson back in the winner's circle.
Elite Triumph Hurdle favourite Katarino "is in very good form" for his comeback, Nicky Henderson reported yesterday.
The ex-French four-year-old, 6 to 1 market leader for the Cheltenham contest with William Hill, will return to action in Friday's Stroud Green Hurdle at Newbury.
He has not been seen out since a runaway victory at Cheltenham in November. But his trainer said: "Katarino has done plenty of work and schooled beautifully.
"He is ready to go. There are other races for him but the plan is to run on Friday. He is in very good form."
Likely opponents in the Stroud Green include the Francois Doumen-trained Quel Senor and Jonjo O'Neill's Finale Junior Hurdle winner Hunt Hill.
Henderson is also hoping for a bold showing at Newbury from Sharpical, third favourite for Saturday's Tote Gold Trophy despite not having run since he won the race last year.
"Sharpical has been off for 365 days and I would have liked to have given him a prep race but he is quite a clean-winded horse and he has done quite a lot of work," the trainer said. "But he will come on a lot for the race."
Trainer Daniel O'Brien had a bittersweet afternoon at Lingfield on Saturday. He and jockey Jim Culloty landed a 181 to 1 double with Illuminate and Equity's Double. But the stable's other runner, Artic Mist, fractures its pelvis in a fall and was put down.
