Miami Magic is unlikely to need some wizardry to get back to winning ways after Stuart Edmunds appears to have waved his wand and found the ideal opportunity for his talented novice chaser at Newbury on Friday.
Placed in graded company over hurdles last season, the seven-year-old has slowly warmed to his task over the larger obstacles this term, putting his early fencing experience to good use when conjuring up some sorcery to win at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
Amongst those he beat cosily on that occasion were the well-regarded Regent's Stroll (second) and subsequent scorer Califet En Vol (third), while the fourth Knight Of Allen also proved he is no mug when second at Newbury recently which gives the overall form a strong feel.
Miami Magic then added further lustre to his CV when finishing an honourable third in Grade One company at Sandown late last month and although having to concede weight all round here, he sets an obvious standard, with the move to 4800m for the OLBG 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase capable of unlocking further improvement.
Our Dylan can get the afternoon off to a winning start at the Berkshire track when he attempts to follow up a recent Taunton success in the West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.
Versatile ground wise, the 10-year-old has proven in rude health when winning two of his last three and is only 4lb higher than when winning with a bit up his sleeve earlier this month.
A career-high mark could leave him vulnerable to an improver in the field, but a chance is taken on this wise old head proving too streetwise for his younger rivals when it matters most.
Elsewhere on the card, it is interesting that Paul Nolan sends over The Big Clubman for the BetVictor Watch Weekend Winners "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
The Irishman enjoyed a big-race double at Doncaster recently and looks to add more British pounds to his coffers ahead of the Cheltenham Festival with his Wexford scorer who would then go on to run second - beaten 1.25-lengths - in Grade Three company at Navan in November.
He can be forgiven a below-par display in a Limerick Grade Two on Boxing Day where the 4800m trip in testing ground proved too much of a stamina burden, but back down in both trip and grade on a kinder surface could see him demonstrate his class to lay down an early marker for the Irish invasion set to hit over the coming weeks.
It is All-Weather Championships Trials Day at Lingfield where plenty in attendance will be looking to book their tickets to Newcastle on Good Friday, including a pair of runners who dazzled on this very card 12 months ago.
The world looked to be Roaring Legend's oyster when arguably the most impressive winner on this day in 2025, bringing up an all-weather hat-trick in fine style.
He would perhaps fail to live up to then trainer Hugo Palmer's lofty estimations following that victory, but would still run with credit in a plethora of competitive heats across the rest of the year, beaten less than a length when third in the Mallard on his final start for Palmer.
The six-year-old has since returned to the care of Olly Murphy who had previously overseen a hurdling campaign and having caught the eye in his first run for six months when second back on his favoured all-weather at Wolverhampton, could be primed to repeat last year's heroics.
Jack Channon's Ferrous was another to shine in 2025 as he careered to a taking victory in the Midnite AWC Sprint Trial Handicap that was the catalyst for a winning run that would yield group action later in the year.
He is back to defend his crown off a 10lb higher mark which of course makes life tougher but he is clearly much improved and was a promising fourth on his return to action over course and distance 27 days ago.
Tom Marquand is also reunited and will be in the saddle as he was last year and a bold bid off top weight is predicted. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.
LINGFIELD: Race 1: 15.42 Seventy, Race 2: 16.12 Lord Harcourt, Race 3: 16.42 Mereside Diva, Race 4: 17.12 Ferrous, Race 5: 17.45 Roaring Legend, Race 6: 18.20 Beylerbeyi, Race 7: 18.53 Popmaster.
DONCASTER: Race 1: 15.50 Diamond Koda, Race 2: 16.20 Lylian, Race 3: 16.50 Tormund Giantsbane, Race 4: 17.22 Minella Jury, Race 5: 17.57 Mr Griffiths, Race 6: 18.30 Count Adhemar, Race 7: 19.05 If Not For Dylan.
NEWBURY: Race 1: 16.00 Our Dylan, Race 2: 16.30 Love You Back, Race 3: 17.00 MIAMI MAGIC (NAP), Race 4: 17.35 The Big Clubman, Race 5: 18.08 Hardy Du Seuil, Race 6: 18.43 Fierce Warrior.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.13 Ardaddy, Race 2: 19.45 Benacre, Race 3: 20.15 Starglow, Race 4: 20.45 Trucial Pearl, Race 5: 21.15 Cayman Tai, Race 6: 21.45 Francesco Baracca, Race 7: 22.15 Aneirin's Sword.
ALL TO COME: Our Dylan and Miami Magic (Newbury, Races 1 and 3).