Tommy's Oscar can get back on the winning trail in the First Past The Post At Copybet Veterans' Handicap Chase at Carlisle on Sunday.
Ann and Ian Hamilton's stable stalwart was rated as high as 157 at his peak, but an 11-race losing streak dating back almost two years has seen his mark fall to what looks a workable perch of 139.
Although it is a while since he got his head in front, the 11-year-old has been running with plenty of credit in defeat, most recently filling the runner-up spot behind the high-class JPR One in the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh.
Despite the burden of top weight, Tommy's Oscar should find life a little easier on what is his first start in veterans' chase company.
Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have been among the winners on the run-up to Cheltenham and can add to their tally with Guet Apens in the Safer Gambling At Copybet Novices' Hurdle.
A useful sort on the Flat for French maestro Andre Fabre, the six-year-old made an encouraging start for his new connections when third on his hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month.
He should be sharper for that run given he had been off the track since July and this stiffer track should also see him in a better light.
Celestial Fashion looks well placed to complete her hat-trick in the Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight At Copybet Novices' Handicap Chase.
Ian Duncan's mare has really found her feet over fences this season, winning three of her four starts, with her only defeat coming over 4800m at Ayr.
She has since bounced back spectacularly over shorter distances, scoring by 18 lengths at Wetherby in January before defying an 8lb rise with another comprehensive success over this course and distance a month ago.
Celestial Fashion is up another 8lb and the assessor will catch up with her eventually, but she is clearly in great heart and looks capable of scoring again in this small field.
Wondering Why can make it back-to-back wins for Ben Pauling in the Oddschecker Free Bets Novices' Hurdle at Warwick.
Bought out of Richard Bandey's yard last May for £54,000 after winning a Huntingdon bumper, the five-year-old was placed on his first two starts in the Basher Watts Racing silks before making it third time lucky in some style at Lingfield in January.
While a possible Cheltenham Festival appearance was mooted in the immediate aftermath, that would have been fairly ambitious and another outing in an ordinary novice under a penalty looks a more sensible play.
He appears to be improving all the time, however, so if he can follow up then there is every chance he can have a shot at something a little loftier in the spring.
Dan Skelton has several good chances at his local track, the best of which could be Presley in the concluding Black Pug Open National Hunt Flat Race.
A E185,000 purchase as a store horse, the Harzand gelding was a hot favourite for his bumper debut at Chepstow in early December and while his supporters were ultimately left counting their losses, he ran a perfectly respectable race to finish a close third behind Princess Day, who has since followed up at Newbury.
Ahead of a huge week at Prestbury Park, the Skeltons will surely be expecting Presley to open his account at the second time of asking. - Press Association
SELECTIONS:
CARLISLE: Race 1 - 16.20 Molly's Lad, Race 2 - 16.50 TOMMY'S OSCAR (NAP), Race 3 - 17.20 Guet Apens, Race 4 - 17.50 Celestial Fashion, Race 5 - 18.25 Lady In The Park, Race 6 - 19.00 Holly Bird, Race 7 - 19.35 Bellaney Lord.
NAAS: Race 1 - 16.00 Doctor Elvis, Race 2 - 16.30 Davy Crockett, Race 3 - 17.00 Westandtogether, Race 4 - 17.30 Better Times Ahead, Race 5 - 18.02 Built By Ballymore, Race 6 - 18.37 Ballygunner Castle, Race 7 - 19.12 Poetisa.
WARWICK: Race 1 - 15.40 So You Know, Race 2 - 16.10 Wilstar, Race 3 - 16.40 Wondering Why, Race 4 - 17.10 Ilitch, Race 5 - 17.40 Irish Chorus, Race 6 - 18.13 Big Cadillac, Race 7 - 18.48 Jubilant, Race 8 - 19.23 Presley.