Havana Rum can make the most of any cut in the ground at Hamilton when he tackles the ICB Waterproofing Windows Handicap on Wednesday.
Trained by Richard Fahey, Havana Rum has shown his best with a bit of cut, most recently when triumphing at Ripon earlier in the month.
Having taken a couple of runs to warm up this term, the four-year-old returned to winning form when overcoming a slow start to eventually see off Roundhay Park by 1.5-lengths in what appeared a competitive heat.
Havana Rum was putting in all his best work at the finish that day and seemed to have a bit left in reserve, which should help him deal with a 5lb higher mark.
Contacto has seemingly found his groove stepped up to 2400m this term and a second win of 2024 awaits in the Bauder, Making Roofs Secure Handicap.
He struggled to make an impact over 2000m on his return in April but edged up a further 400m next time, he came good in style at Doncaster when running out a 7-length winner on his handicap bow.
Andrew Balding's charge raced off a mark of 66 that day and was subsequently raised 9lb, but that perch did not look beyond him when second at Chester subsequently.
Quicker conditions on the Roodee may not have suited him quite as well as the Doncaster soft going and he was still beaten less than a length in second.
The prospect of slightly easier ground makes Contacto a more attractive proposition, although his increased mark of 79 does mean he will have to improve again.
Beltane appears to be on a winnable mark in the Dr Eddie Moll Handicap at Beverley. Rated 83 in his juvenile days, he is now some 10lb lower and showed with two fair efforts on the Westwood that that is a reasonable assessment of his current abilities.
Beaten 2.5-lengths on this year's turf bow, Beltane improved on that when going down by less than a length when second earlier this month.
Hierarchy can take a leap forward for his first start of the year, with the Try Unibet's New Acca Boosts Handicap at Kempton giving him the ideal opportunity to kick on.
Off the track for 196 days before returning at Newmarket, Jamie Osborne's runner was beaten 4-lengths when sixth over 1200m. The five-year-old kept on well after a slow start and a 2lb ease in the weights is a plus.
Dreal Deal can make it three wins in his last four starts in the Cartmel Annual Members Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at the Cumbrian track.
A cosy winner of a Down Royal beginners' chase last month, he did not make much impact upped to Listed level at Punchestown but back in calmer waters at Wexford last time, he ran out an 8-length victor. He has to concede plenty of weight but really does look a cut above. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.
BEVERLEY: Race 1: 14.40 Cheerleader, Race 2: 15.10 Powdering, Race 3: 15.40 Celestial Wave, Race 4: 16.10 Beltane, Race 5: 16.40 Rayena, Race 6: 17.10 Cloudy Rose, Race 7: 17.40 Laudable, Race 8: 18.15 King Of The Jungle.
NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 15.28 Walk Of The Roses, Race 2: 15.58 Juniper, Race 3: 16.28 Coconut Twist, Race 4: 16.58 Monjules, Race 5: 17.28 Duc De Bourbon, Race 6: 18.03 Pooch.
HAMILTON: Race 1: 15.50 Death Or Glory, Race 2: 16.20 Jaminoz, Race 3: 16.50 Contacto, Race 4: 17.20 HAVANA RUM (NAP), Race 5: 17.50 Arkenstaar, Race 6: 18.20 Ledger.
KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.42 Kynsa, Race 2: 19.12 Melisende, Race 3: 19.42 Princess Jastar, Race 4: 20.12 Hierarchy, Race 5: 20.42 Cavallo Bay, Race 6: 21.12 Shin Jidai, Race 7: 21.42 Mrs Twig.
CARTMEL: Race 1: 18.50 Eaton Anne, Race 2: 19.20 George Mallory, Race 3: 19.50 Imperial Data, Race 4: 20.20 Boomslang, Race 5: 20.50 Libby, Race 6: 21.20 Dreal Deal, Race 7: 21.50 Canelo.
ALL TO COME: Havana Rum (Hamilton, Race 4) and Hierarchy (Kempton, Race 4).