Fire Flyer appears to have been found an excellent opportunity to open his account over obstacles in division two of the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton on Thursday.
The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old won an Ascot bumper on his racecourse debut last season and while he was a little disappointing on his next start at Newbury, he has put together two excellent runs in defeat so far this term.
Fire Flyer was done for a turn of foot by the classy Brechin Castle on his reappearance in Listed company at Cheltenham in November, while there was no disgrace in finishing second to another exciting prospect in subsequent Grade Two winner Gidleigh Park on his hurdling debut at Newbury last month.
He still looked a little inexperienced when push came to shove on the latter occasion and with further improvement likely, the Shantou gelding should prove extremely hard to beat.
Nicholls and his title-chasing stable jockey Harry Cobden are also expected to find the target with the hat-trick-seeking Take Your Time in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Chase.
Having seemingly lost his way over the smaller obstacles, a relatively late switch to fences for this recently-turned nine-year-old appears to have turned his career around.
He was good value for the winning margin of half a length when making a successful reappearance and chasing debut at Newton Abbot in October and again showed his liking for testing conditions when following up over this course and distance last month.
An 8-point hike makes life tougher, but Take Your Time is clearly in rude health at the moment and is sure to be bang there at the finish.
A recent double at Fontwell advertised the excellent recent form of trainer Ben Clarke and the Dorset handler is expected to add to his tally with Cast's Tasha at Ffos Las.
The Westerner mare rounded off last season with a deserved win at Chepstow and while she has failed to add to her tally so far this winter, she has run three fine races in defeat.
Heavy ground holds no fears for the seven-year-old and a slight ease in class can do the trick in the Discover Golwg Gwendraeth At www.dandara.com Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase.
Mumbles can notch his second win in the space of eight days in the Check Out Golwg Gwendraeth At www.dandara.com Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle.
The Evan Williams-trained seven-year-old bolted up by 16 lengths at Chepstow last week and a 7-point penalty, less Conor Ring's 3-point claim, is unlikely to be enough to stop him following up if he turns up in the same form.
Moonfire can make it third time lucky for Charlie Appleby on the all-weather at Chelmsford.
While not one of the Moulton Paddocks handler's brighter lights, the daughter of sprinting star Blue Point has shown enough in her two starts so far to suggest a minor heat such as the New Holland Fillies' Novice Stakes is within her grasp.
She finished third as a hot favourite on her Wolverhampton debut in November before filling the runner-up spot when upped up from 1200m to 1400m at Lingfield last month.
Given how keen she was on the latter occasion, a return to the shorter trip is viewed as a positive move by connections. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips.
FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.30 Tedley, Race 2: 16.00 Sawpit Sienna, Race 3: 16.30 Fevertre, Race 4: 17.00 Regarde, Race 5: 17.30 Cast's Tasha, Race 6: 18.00 Gambie Tiep, Race 7: 18.30 Mumbles.
WINCANTON: Race 1: 15.45 Country Lady, Race 2: 16.15 Saunton Surf, Race 3: 16.45 Steel Ally, Race 4: 17.15 FIRE FLYER (NAP), Race 5: 17.45 Take Your Time, Race 6: 18.15 Lakota Warrior, Race 7: 18.45 I've Madeupmymind.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 20.00 Jenson Benson, Race 2: 20.30 Moonfire, Race 3: 21.00 Bear To Dream, Race 4: 21.30 Dynamic Force, Race 5: 22.00 Rogue Soldier, Race 6: 22.30 Glencalvie.
DOUBLE: Fire Flyer and Take Your Time (Wincanton, Races 4 and 5).