Kala Conti can follow in the footsteps of stablemate Gerri Colombe by winning the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Gerri Colombe claimed the Grade One event three years ago for trainer Gordon Elliott and Brian Acheson's Robcour ownership, and Kala Conti represents the same connections as she tackles the top level over fences for the first time.
A useful juvenile hurdler, last season her form tailed off a bit but switching to fences this term has prompted a turnaround in her fortunes, winning each of her two starts including a 16-length verdict over Kargese - who was rated 12lb superior over hurdles - in Grade Two company last time out.
That win came over 3400m but given she won over 800m further on her chasing bow, the 4000m trip here holds no fears while her mares' allowance gives her a handy 7lb advantage which puts her ahead of likely favourite and impressive Kempton scorer Kitzbuhel.
Henri The Second can improve on last year's second place by winning the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle.
Beaten 8 lengths by the reopposing Red Dirt Road in 2025, Henri The Second is 8lb better off this time and offered some encouragement when only narrowly beaten at this track at the start of the month.
He had previously been tried over fences, his second unsuccessful crack at the bigger obstacles, but looks much more comfortable over hurdles and arrives here with his confidence restored.
Survie dips right in class on her first start for George Boughey in the Midnite Winter Derby Trial Conditions Stakes at Lingfield.
Previously trained in France, Survie was a Group Two winner and placed in the highest company on more than one occasion before changing hands for 1.9 million guineas in December, being snapped up by MV Magnier on behalf of Doreen Tabor.
This is an easier event than her final run of last term, when last of 12 in the Prix de Royallieu over an unsuitable staying trip, and over a middle distance which should play to her strengths.
The Midnite Kachy Stakes features two fascinating contenders in 2024 Gimcrack winner Cool Hoof Luke and top-class South African runner Golden Sickle but preference is for the race-fit Completely Random.
Trained by Harry Charlton, the five-year-old was an impressive victor in a Lingfield handicap earlier in the month and his revised rating of 102 puts him right in the mix for this.
Musselburgh has a classy Cheltenham trials card in prospect and Nicholls can also be on the mark here via Insurrection in the bet365 Scottish Champion Chase.
He was third at the track on New Year's Day when a bad mistake at the business end cost him valuable momentum and with a useful 7lb claim from Freddie Keighley, Insurrection can take advantage.
It is also a huge day in Ireland with the opening card of the Dublin Racing Festival likely to be highlighted by a fourth Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup success for Galopin Des Champs.
While beaten by both Affordale Fury and I Am Maximus on his Christmas return, the dual Cheltenham champion likely just needed his first outing of the season and should take the necessary step forward here. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
LEOPARDSTOWN: Race 1 - 15.15 Doctor Steinberg, Race 2 - 15.50 Immediate Effect, Race 3 - 16.25 County Final, Race 4 - 16.55 Romeo Coolio, Race 5 - 17.30 Galopin Des Champs, Race 6 - 18.05 Jasko Des Dames, Race 7 - 18.40 It's Only A Game.
LINGFIELD: Race 1 - 14.35 Kit Gabriel, Race 2 - 15.05 Survie, Race 3 - 15.38 Monks Mead, Race 4 - 16.15 Dubai Harbour, Race 5 - 16.50 Completely Random, Race 6 - 17.20 Knight Templar, Race 7 - 17.55 Star Chorus, Race 8 - 18.30 No Knee Never.
MUSSELBURGH: Race 1 - 15.10 Made U Blush, Race 2 - 15.43 Saligo Bay, Race 3 - 16.20 Insurrection, Race 4 - 17.00 Walks The Talk, Race 5 - 17.37 Magna Victor, Race 6 - 18.11 Kelce.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 18.25 Pride Of Donegal, Race 2 - 18.55 Our Absent Friends, Race 3 - 19.25 Majestic Dane, Race 4 - 19.55 The Green Man, Race 5 - 20.25 Springbok, Race 6 - 20.55 Faithful Dream, Race 7 - 21.25 Book Of Life.
SANDOWN: Race 1 - 14.20 Wispit Twob, Race 2 - 14.55 Calme Olympien, Race 3 - 15.25 Non Iron, Race 4 - 16.02 Jax Junior, Race 5 - 16.40 KALA CONTI (NAP), Race 6 - 17.10 Henri The Second, Race 7 - 17.42 Fortunate Man.
WETHERBY: Race 1 - 14.30 Kaydence, Race 2 - 15.00 Copper Cove, Race 3 - 15.33 Solid Performer, Race 4 - 16.08 Trac, Race 5 - 16.45 Kalium, Race 6 - 17.15 Major Dundee, Race 7 - 17.50 Presley.