Peter can reward Donald Whillans' patience by winning the Gosforth Decorating and Building Services Handicap Chase at Newcastle today. The Hawick-based chaser has been lightly raced but his form has been heading in the right direction this term.

Peter made an encouraging reappearance at Ayr in December when finishing strongly to be nine lengths third of seven behind Judicious Captain.

The 10-year-old then went to Newcastle for a competitive 11runner handicap over three miles and six furlongs. He led briefly when the race began in earnest but ran out of steam in the closing stages and finished five and a half lengths third to Linden's Lotto.

Peter, a winner over two and a half miles two seasons ago, should be happier given this drop back in distance. He ought to be spot on for this and has a good racing weight against some rivals with question marks hanging over them.

Fighting Times is worth an each-way interest in the Baggeridge Brick Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle. Craig Smith's six-year-old could have been let in on a handy mark after three runs in novice company, the latest when a respectable eighth of 22 to Unsinkable Boxer at Doncaster.