Top Secret can begin the new year as he finished the last with victory in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap on Saturday at Kempton.
The seven-year-old is three from five at the Sunbury circuit, scoring twice in November 2022 and bolting up on his most recent visit just before Christmas.
Top Secret had disappointed on his two previous outings on turf, but clearly benefited from a 102-day break and a return to the all-weather as he won comfortably by just over 2 lengths.
A 6 point rise to a career-high mark of 91 clearly makes life tougher, but he is nevertheless expected to enhance his fine course record with another win in this London Mile Series Qualifier.
Bosh catches the eye in the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap.
Richard Hannon's inmate had a rating pushing three figures a couple of years ago, but a largely disappointing run of form has seen his mark drop to its current perch of 87.
There were definite signs of a revival when third at Lingfield last time out behind the prolific Intervention and he appears to have been found a good opportunity to resume winning ways.
Fire Demon has his first run since a disappointing spin in September in the British Stallions Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.
He was well supported at this track after chasing home the now 109-rated Dancing Gemini at Newbury on his second career start, but he failed to justify that confidence in coming home third.
It is too early to give up on this son of Dark Angel yet.
Out Of The Stars lines up in the Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap at Southwell fresh from victory at Wolverhampton.
She was an odds-on favourite when making a winning juvenile debut at Kempton last April, but a subsequent move up to Group Two level for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot proved beyond her and Archie Watson then gave her plenty of time before returning last month.
The Zoustar filly comprehensively dealt with her winner's penalty that day and an initial mark of 81 could give connections something to work with.
Artistic Mission showed promise in the second of two starts at the end of last year and can build on that in the second division of the BetMGM: It's Showtime Novice Stakes.
Well held on his racecourse bow at Wolverhampton, he turned in an improved showing when beaten 3.5-lengths at Newcastle last month, with an event like this seemingly well within his remit.
Findthetime enjoyed no luck at Doncaster on his most recent run and is one to keep in mind for the Quinnbet.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
He was hampered by a faller at a crucial stage and could not claw back the lost ground, eventually coming home a fair fourth - an effort which can be upgraded.
Ben Pauling's Handstands is difficult to oppose in the Quinnbet Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Hurdle.
Bought for £135,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point in October, the Getaway gelding gave his new connections an immediate return on that substantial investment when cruising to a 6.5-length verdict on his hurdling debut at Hereford.
It will be a shade disappointing if he is unable to double up under the mandatory penalty as his trainer's sole runner in the north east. - Press Association
SELECTIONS
CORK: 14.12 Paggane, 14.47 Striking, 15.22 Largy Hill, 15.57 Abbeydale, 16.32 Noble Blue, 17.07 Old Soul, 17.42 Cathedral Rocks.
KEMPTON: 19.15 Conquest Of Power, 19.45 Fire Demon, 20.15 Rogue Raider, 20.45 TOP SECRET (NAP), 21.15 Bosh, 21.45 First Emperor, 22.15 Trusty Scout.
NEWCASTLE: 13.55 Nala The Lioness, 14.30 Findthetime, 15.05 Juge Et Parti, 15.40 Princess Of Mercia, 16.15 Handstands, 16.50 Great Raffles, 17.25 Yealand.
SOUTHWELL: 18.00 Cuban Tiger, 18.30 Artistic Mission, 19.00 Island Native, 19.30 Out Of The Stars, 20.00 Intoxicata, 20.30 Once Adaay, 21.00 Storymaker, 21.30 Urban Dandy, 22.00 Silver Bubble.
WINCANTON: 14.20 Casual Observer, 14.55 Blue Moon Serenade, 15.30 Artemis Kimbo, 16.05 One Last Glance, 16.40 Honneur D'Ajonc, 17.15 Intimate, 17.50 Haston Clermont.