St Pancras can capitalise on a drop in company in the JCB Novices' Hurdle at Warwick on Sunday.
Toby Lawes' charge has shaped with distinct promise since moving to the National Hunt sphere after a Flat career that produced one win and two third places in six starts.
Fifth behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Lulamba on his first attempt at Ascot, St Pancras lacked a bit of fluency at his obstacles but he clearly learnt from the experience as he prevailed as a 33-1 shot on his second start at Musselburgh.
Victory in that competitive heat inspired Lawes to raise his sights to Grade Two level in the Adonis and the decision nearly paid dividends as he found only Mambonumberfive too good there, with the concession of 5lb to the winner making his 1.25-length defeat all the more meritorious.
The four-year-old allowance he receives in this qualifier for the Novices' Championship Hurdle Series puts him well in front on the ratings, with the likely decent ground also sure to suit.
Sole Solution can bring up his hat-trick in the JCB Tele-Handler Handicap Hurdle.
Venetia Williams' charge has won two of his four hurdles starts to date, with his 14-length defeat at the hands of Sixmilebridge in December now viewed in a more favourable light as that runner is due to star at Cheltenham next week.
Following that comprehensive defeat, Sole Solution hit the mark at both Hereford and Sandown, triumphing from a starting mark of 114 on the latter occasion.
He has been raised 5lb for that win and though this quicker ground would be a question mark having only won on soft and heavy so far, he does at least come into the race in fine form.
Wilstar is worth watching as he makes his racecourse debut in the JCB Hydrogen Open National Hunt Flat Race.
This E250,000 purchase is a son of Doctor Dino out of the mare Star Face, making him a half-brother to two exceptional performers in Douvan and Champion Chase favourite Jonbon.
While Douvan never tackled a bumper heat, Jonbon won one on his debut and Wilstar can follow suit.
Smokeringinthdark can bounce back from Musselburgh disappointment in the Watch Racing TV Now Novices' Hurdle at Carlisle.
After finishing second on his only point-to-point start, Smokeringinthedark made an instant impact for Nicky Richards when winning on his stable bow at Musselburgh in December - form which received a significant boost when runner-up Jet To Vegas won a Grade Two last weekend.
Sent to Musselburgh's Cheltenham Trials weekend, Smokeringinthedark found better and more experienced rivals just too big an ask, but eased in grade here, he can get back on the winning track.
Old favourite Saint Calvados can sparkle again in the Cocklakes Open Hunters' Chase.
A Grade Two winner and just a neck shy of a Cheltenham Festival win in his pomp, he is back with trainer Harry Whittington now after spells with Paul Nicholls and in France, with the now 12-year-old seemingly thriving. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
CARLISLE: Race 1 - 16.00 Dearkeithandkaty, Race 2 - 16.30 Smokeringinthedark, Race 3 - 17.00 Millie Supreme, Race 4 - 17.30 Blue Fin, Race 5 - 18.00 Red Happy, Race 6 - 18.35 She's A Rocca, Race 7 - 19.10 Saint Calavdos.
NAAS: Race 1 - 16.10 Come Walk With Me, Race 2 - 16.40 Belloccio, Race 3 - 17.10 Bayou Belle, Race 4 - 17.40 Dont Tell Jack, Race 5 - 18.12 Sir Argus, Race 6 - 18.45 Any Second Now, Race 7 - 19.20 Apples Jane.
WARWICK: Race 1 - 16.20 Ostrava Du Berlais, Race 2 - 16.50 The Grey Man, Race 3 - 17.20 ST PANCRAS (NAP), Race 4 - 17.50 Book Of Tales, Race 5 - 18.23 Sole Solution, Race 6 - 18.58 Northern Poet, Race 7 - 19.30 Wilstar.