CHRIS FAIRHURST'S Ringside Jack (2.10) has been given the opportunity to show what he's made of in the opening Barton Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Catterick.

After being campaigned at significantly shorter trips to date, Fairhurst has opted to give his gelding a thorough test of stamina by stepping him up to a distance well in excess of three miles.

And there's no doubt that evidence points towards Ringside Jack being suited by the switch, especially after his most recent outing at Newcastle where he was hitting back with great resolution near to the finish of a two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Considering Sharp Single (3.40) went off like the proverbial scalded cat at Wetherby in January, she did remarkably well to sustain her long lead until collared in the final 50 yards by the fast-finishing Parknasilla.

Although the mare now reverts to hurdles, I anticipate the self-same front-running tactics to be utilised in the belief that Sharp Single will be able to hang on to her advantage around this far flatter and less demanding track.

Having blundered and unseated his rider over hurdles at Wetherby, some might think it's a strange decision by Mick Easterby to give Tom Fruit (4.10) a try over the bigger obstacles.

But there's method to the madness - Tom Fruit has always looked every inch a fledgling chaser, so his appearance in the Malton Beginners' Chase is understandable.

Ideally Tom Fruit would probably prefer slightly softer ground, however he's been in decent form over timber and if all goes to plan would not be out of place making a winning debut over fences in a race which won't take much winning.

Although plenty of runners face the starter in the Novices' Handicap Chase at Leicester, Ravenscar (2.50) has the ability to put distance between himself and his 15 rivals over the final four furlongs.

Despite being hopelessly outclassed by a bunch of genuine Gold Cup contenders at Newbury, he didn't actually run that badly.

Adam Pogson's mount now returns to a much more realistic level, which combined with his proven course record, puts him in the picture for the £5,000 race.

David Barker's Whinhill House (3.30) has brought plenty of cheer to his fans during the last couple of months, winning three from four on the all-weather circuit.

Barker has a relatively small team with which to make his mark, but he's done especially well with sprinters down the years from his Scotton, near Catterick, base.

With prime examples such as Tancred Arms, Tancred Times, and Celtic Mill springing to mind, it doesn't come as shock that Whinhill House has emerged as a potent force on the sand tracks of late.

The flying five-year-olds latest success came at Southwell, where he put stunning pace to race to outgun Pawan and record a pillar-to-post victory. But that's not to say he won't be equally at home on today's Lingfield's quicker surface, because Whinhill House (3.30) previously prevailed with similar authority at the Surrey venue.