Barefoot Warrior can pick up where he left off in the racingtv.com Handicap at Redcar on Monday.
Unraced at two, David O'Meara's charge shaped with huge encouragement when a close-up third on his racecourse debut at Thirsk in July and confirmed that promise with back-to-back victories.
He beat an 83-rated horse in King's Coronation with plenty in hand when opening his account back at Thirsk and then swooped late to deny Baraq on the all-weather at Newcastle in the early autumn.
Baraq won his next two races and ended 2024 on a lofty perch of 91, while the third, fourth, sixth and seventh from Gosforth Park have all struck gold since to give that form a very solid look.
Barefoot Warrior enters the handicap sphere off a mark of 87, which may well underestimate his significant potential.
O'Meara might also hit the bullseye with Toralou in the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap.
Another handicap debutant, this U S Navy Flag filly was narrowly denied on her Haydock introduction in the summer of 2023, but fluffed her lines on her return from a year and a half off the track at Wolverhampton in January.
However, she was entitled to need that run after such an absence and is better judged on her latest effort when a clear second to a long odds-on favourite in Commanding Prince at Newcastle.
An opening mark of 70 sees her slot into this 1400m contest at the head of the weights and she is less exposed than most of her rivals.
Convergent is a potential star performer in the Watch Live On Racing TV Restricted Novice Stakes.
The son of Fascinating Rock made a big impression on his debut at this track in October and it is notable that Karl Burke has entered the youngster in the 2000 Guineas and the Dante Stakes.
If he is in that sort of class, he should maintain his unbeaten record on his return to action.
Improving filly Manara can register a third consecutive win at Wolverhampton in the Win £1M With BetMGM's Golden Goals Handicap.
The daughter of Camelot actually comes here on a four-timer, with her two wins at Dunstall Park preceded by success at Chelmsford, and she has climbed from 54 to 78 in the ratings in the process.
She is up 7lb for her most recent verdict over this course and distance early in the new year, but won with plenty in hand that day and the assessor may not have caught up with her just yet.
Evening all-weather fare comes from Kempton, where Ata Rangi catches the eye in the Free Bet With Unibet's Betbuilder Rebound Handicap.
A winner on his sixth and final start for Henry de Bromhead in October, the four-year-old has since moved across the Irish Sea and joined Ed Walker.
He is rated 76 for his stable debut and the booking of Oisin Murphy looks a statement of intent.
A sound surface definitely appeared to suit James Ewart's High Dancer when he won at Haydock last time out and he can follow up in the Support QME Care Handicap Hurdle at Kelso.
That was just his fourth run under rules on the quickest ground he had encountered and the five-year-old should continue to progress.
Flash Du Pistolet has won his last two and should bring up the hat-trick in the Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase.
The penny really seems to have dropped for Stuart Coltherd's seven-year-old, who has won at Newcastle and Kelso with the minimum of fuss.
A 9lb rise for his latest success makes things tougher, but he should be up to it. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.
KELSO: Race 1: 14.45 Cloonainra, Race 2: 15.15 High Dancer, Race 3: 15.45 Flash Du Pistolet, Race 4: 16.15 Cadell, Race 5: 16.45 She's Notjoeking, Race 6: 17.15 Slaney Opera, Race 7: 17.45 The Hatchet.
REDCAR: Race 1: 14.57 Ali Shuffle, Race 2: 15.27 Amber Honey, Race 3: 15.57 Toralou, Race 4: 16.27 BAREFOOT WARRIOR (NAP), Race 5: 16.57 Convergent, Race 6: 17.27 Titainium, Race 7: 18.00 Precious Spartan.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 15.35 Manara, Race 2: 16.05 Watermelon Sugar, Race 3: 16.35 Excellent Believe, Race 4: 17.05 Charlatan, Race 5: 17.35 Forest Spirit, Race 6: 18.05 Port Noir, Race 7: 18.35 The Pug, Race 8: 19.10 Bomb Squad.
KEMPTON: Race 1: 17.53 Trad Jazz, Race 2: 18.25 Dalton Park, Race 3: 19.00 Arabian Force, Race 4: 19.30 Ata Rangi, Race 5: 20.00 Al Ameen, Race 6: 20.30 Carbine Harvester, Race 7: 21.00 Zoran, Race 8: 21.30 Dibble Dabble.
DOUBLE: Barefoot Warrior and Convergent (Redcar, Races 4 and 5).