Regent's Stroll can get his season back on track with victory in the Salisbury Hospice Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton on Thursday.
Paul Nicholls would probably have expected to be putting the finishing touches to this horse's Cheltenham preparations at this point in time, but after a couple of reversals the six-year-old is swerving the showpiece fixture.
There is no doubt he was impressive in his debut hurdles win at Newbury, with second-placed Good And Clever subsequently placed in Grade One company, but he disappointed when sent off favourite for the Challow in December before again letting his supporters down when dropped to Listed level at Exeter.
He was beaten 2 lengths by the progressive Fingle Bridge when tackling 3200m on that occasion, but the way he stayed on suggests jumping back up to 4000m could suit.
Regent's Stroll's £660,000 price tag was always going to be hard to live up to, but a win in this lesser company should at least restore the gelding's confidence.
Saladins Son is the pick in the Horatio's Garden Handicap Chase after a 6-length verdict over the course and distance.
Pulled up when favourite on his initial chase start on heavy ground, a return to better conditions revived his fortunes and he looked a runner on the up.
A 5lb hike does not look too harsh given the manner of his victory and he can make it two wins in three chase starts with decent ground on his side.
D Day Arvalenreeva made a promising start over obstacles and can build on that in the Women Investors Network Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
While she only won once in 16 starts on the Flat, the five-year-old also placed on multiple occasions and demonstrated a degree of promise when fourth on her National Hunt debut last month.
She was up against it in taking on Surrey Belle, who beat her just over 15 lengths and subsequently hacked up in another event at Newcastle by 57 lengths.
Nevertheless, D Day Arvalenreeva looked as though that first experience would not be wasted on her.
Demoiselle Kap is hat-trick hunting in the BetGoodwin Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase at Fontwell.
She made two quickfire runs pay last month, winning by 9.5-lengths at Sedgefield before following up at Newcastle under top-weight a week later.
Her mark has been boosted from 98 to 109 following those wins, but she has run well off a similar mark in the past.
Quiet Resolve would benefit from a stronger pace in the Win £1M With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap at Newcastle.
He raced keenly when last seen, in what was a messy race before being beaten just a neck but remains well treated on a perch of 75. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips.
FONTWELL: Race 1: 16.10 The Long Walk, Race 2: 16.40 Alto Alto, Race 3: 17.10 Tuscan Rose, Race 4: 17.40 Tea And Chats, Race 5: 18.10 Demoiselle Kap, Race 6: 18.40 Croeso Talog.
WINCANTON: Race 1: 16.20 Celtic Fortune, Race 2: 16.50 D Day Arvalenreeva, Race 3: 17.20 Dunstall Rambler, Race 4: 17.50 REGENT'S STROLL (NAP), Race 5: 18.20 Saladins Son, Race 6: 18.50 Drash On Ruby, Race 7: 19.20 Just Aidan.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 19.30 Susiesparkle, Race 2: 20.00 Pallas Lord, Race 3: 20.30 Aurora Majesty, Race 4: 21.00 Quiet Resolve, Race 5: 21.30 Global Effort, Race 6: 22.00 Falcon Nine, Race 7: 22.30 Arlington.
DOUBLE: Regent's Stroll and Saladins Son (Wincanton, Races 4 and 5).