TOP-WEIGHT should be no barrier to prevent Banker Count (3.10) continuing his winning ways at Towcester today.

Having previously hit both posts and the crossbar in a series of near-misses, the Venetia Williams-trained 13-year-old eventually ended a losing run stretching back to December 2001 when collecting at Leicester last time out.

And that victory must have been a tremendous relief to connections, responsible in the first place for shelling out some mighty big bucks to Mick Easterby's stable in the hope that he would develop into genuine Grand National material.

Unfortunately, due to a serious loss of form Banker Count failed to deliver, which ultimately resulted in a free-fall of his handicap rating. But at least from a punting point of view, even with the 7lb hike in the weights for that latest win, he's not harshly treated on the pick of what he achieved in his glory days at Easterby's Sheriff Hutton base.

Ball O Malt, who won with real authority when slamming Waterspray by two-and-a-half-miles at Catterick in December, looks good value to follow-up.

Richard Fahey's raider had previously been troubled with broken blood vessels, however Richard reckons that if he keeps his charge to fences rather than hurdles, the crippling ailment is less much likely to re-occur.

If the canny Malton handler's theory does prove to hold water, Ball O Malt is almost certain to play a prominent part in the feature event on the card, the £12,000 Compare Odds Novices' Chase, provided of course that he puts in a clear round.

Although on paper Megan's Magic (2.40) has it all to do in the Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle, she ran far better than her final placing suggested at Catterick, plus will be better suited by the easier ground and more demanding track this afternoon.

Richard Rowe must have been down in the dumps after his useful mare, Leith Hill Star (3.30), failed to justify heavy market support on her most recent start at Folkestone.

If it's any consolation to Rowe, according to the "Superform" set of speed figures, she ran better that day in defeat than when prevailing at the track the time before.

The main reason it seems for her demise was the three-furlong step back in trip, which didn't play her to obvious long suit - stamina. Rowe is taking no chances this time round on his return to the Kent venue, putting Leith Hill Star up to her optimum distance in the three-mile-one-furlong Hythe Handicap Chase, a contest that should enable the nine-year-old to outstay the opposition.

Michael Chapman's habit of farming the all-weather circuit at Southwell shows no sign of abating with the likes of Amanda's Lad (2.20) poised to take the betdirect.co.uk Banded Stakes.

Although yet to win a race of any description, the fact that he now returns from a much-needed 37-day holiday could be the key to unlocking the door to success.

One of the obstacles Amanda's Lad has failed to overcome during the past couple of seasons is the sheer volume of races he's been asked to take part in. There's no doubt the gelding has often had to compete when rather jaded, nonetheless after a rejuvenating rest, I fancy him to come out all guns blazing for the lowly £2,000 contest.