Behavingbadly, who is suited by an extreme test of stamina, is likely to get conditions to suit in the Mechplant Handicap Chase over three miles and six furlongs at Newcastle this afternoon.

Andrew Parker's ten-year-old has taken a while to realise his potential over fences but he seems to be getting the hang of things and notched his second win from his last three starts when last seen at Kelso in November.

An improvement in the jumping department is a valid reason for some of his progress and, although he's conceding weight nearly all round, he's taken to defy this seven pound rise in the weights.

Nicky Richards' Cumbrian base has taken a bit of a battering by the recent high winds but Vic The Piler is fancied to make a winning hurdles debut in the nitex.co.uk National Hunt Novices' Hurdle over two miles.

This brother to a winning Irish pointer won't have to be anything out of the ordinary to make an impact in such an uncompetitive event.

Len Lungo has been sending out a regular flow of winners and Kupka, who won on his debut under rules at Carlisle in October, is the one to beat in the Sporting Index Novices Hurdle.

Stamina gained the day on that occasion and the form has already been franked by third placed Minster Shadow, who has since won twice.

The step up to this three mile trip is going to suit.

At Wolverhampton, Master Theo can maintain his unbeaten record on the new surface by taking the betdirect.co.uk Handicap over the extended nine furlongs.

Hugh Collingridge didn't have much luck on turf last year but he's since done well on artificial surfaces and his progressive four-year-old impressed with the way he travelled before beating previous winner Weecandoo over course and distance last time.

Richard Hughes looks the ideal partner for this type of animal and, although drawn wide, he should be able to tuck in from just off the pace.

He's open to improvement and is taken to beat Cordial.

Robert Winston has shown everyone how to ride this track from the front in recent times and he can make all aboard Whinhill House in division one of the Bet Direct On At The Races Interactive Handicap over six furlongs.

His low draw is ideal for one that can lead and he's one of the few that comes into this race at the top of his game following wins over five at Southwell and when upped to this distance at Lingfield last time.

Division two of the same contest can go to David Nicholls' Ballybunion, who ran much better last week over this course and distance when third to a couple of in-form types in Zoom Zoom and Glencairn Star.

The Nicholls stable has been among the winners of late and the six-year-old, who is tried in cheekpieces for the first time, should be better for that first experience of the new Polytrack surface.

David Barron is a trainer to respect on sand and his Quincannon looks a likely type after a solid run from a six pound higher mark at Southwell for the Bet Direct On The Premiership Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs.