Hidden Heroics has shown a bit more sparkle in recent weeks ahead of his bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase engagement at Uttoxeter on Sunday.
Dan Skelton's seven-year-old was a winner last December but went off the boil a bit after that, with three subsequent runs yielding no joy before a return to better ground reignited his form.
Hidden Heroics was in the lead at Market Rasen in May before the race was voided due to a fatal fall, but he again showed he was in good heart at Stratford at the start of June.
Racing off a mark of 125, Hidden Heroics set out to make all over an extended 5400m, with his lead gradually reduced to 3.25-lengths at the line.
He seemingly relished the good ground on that occasion and with quicker conditions in prospect again here, he is taken to defy a 5lb rise.
Coastguard Station was just edged out last time, but compensation awaits in the bet365 Handicap Chase.
Racing over 3400m at Kelso, the eight-year-old was delivered to win his race after the penultimate fence but just ran out of petrol with the line in sight, being beaten a head by Guy.
Coastguard Station was racing off a 4lb higher mark that day, having previously won at Fakenham, and he has been hiked a further 1lb for that narrow defeat, but that should not be a bar to success.
Fourofakind has been running consistently well and can put up another good show in the Best Odds Guaranteed At bet365 Handicap Hurdle.
He won off his current mark of 109 back in March 2023 and still seems capable judged on his two recent seconds.
King Otis can make it three wins in five starts by landing the Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel.
His two victories have been at a low level, in a Fakenham seller and then a handicap hurdle back at the Norfolk track, with the application of a tongue tie seemingly working the oracle.
He had to settle for third last time out when moved up slightly in company, but he was given plenty to do and was finishing with real purpose.
Who's Glen looked green on his first attempt but can improve in the Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Restricted Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton.
A well-bred individual, he was gelded before starting his racing career but showed plenty of promise in finishing second.
Ambiente Friendly and Los Angeles face off again in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the highlight of a top-class Curragh card.
Just 3.25-lengths separated the pair when they were both beaten by City Of Troy in the Derby at Epsom and while Los Angeles could well find the necessary improvement back on a more conventional track, Ambiente Friendly may too find the Curragh course to his liking. - Press Association
SELECTIONS
CARTMEL: Race 1: 14.30 Not Now Nathaniel, Race 2: 15.00 Solly Attwell, Race 3: 15.35 Balkotic, Race 4: 16.10 King Otis, Race 5: 16.45 Coqolino, Race 6: 17.20 Dr Sanderson, Race 7: 17.55 Baron Briggs.
CURRAGH: Race 1: 14.10 Thor's Hammer, Race 2: 14.40 Henri Matisse, Race 3: 15.15 Ano Syra, Race 4: 15.50 Little Queenie, Race 5: 16.25 Master Of The Hunt, Race 6: 17.05 Ambiente Friendly, Race 7: 17.40 Cheers Again, Race 8: 18.15 Gunzburg, Race 9: 18.50 Saturn.
UTTOXETER: Race 1: 14.20 Gale Mahler, Race 2: 14.50 Riskintheground, Race 3: 15.25 Coastguard Station, Race 4: 16.00 HIDDEN HEROICS (NAP), Race 5: 16.35 Edison Kent, Race 6: 17.10 Fourofakind, Race 7: 17.45 Maxcel.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 14.35 Via Blanca, Race 2: 15.10 Bradman, Race 3: 15.45 Who's Glen, Race 4: 16.20 Meng Tian, Race 5: 16.55 Orbital, Race 6: 17.30 Red Walls.