IN-FORM jockey Paddy Brennan has been entrusted with partnering Benbyas (1.55) on his eagerly- anticipated fencing debut at Uttoxeter.

Brennan, fresh from a fabulous four-timer at Doncaster on Saturday, need not have too many worries about the jumping ability of Benbyas, who throughout his extremely successful hurdling career often gave the impression that he might be even better once tackling the bigger obstacles.

Provided Declan Carroll's stable star does manage to stay on his feet and complete the course in the two-mile toteexacta Beginners Chase, the main threat will almost certainly emerge from another high-class recruit to fences, Steppes Of Gold.

Formerly trained by Nicky Richards, Steppes Of Gold joined the even more powerful Jonjo O'Neill yard during the summer. Rated potential Cheltenham Festival material, Tony McCoy's mount has reportedly schooled well at home, but I still believe Benbyas may possess a niftier turn of foot once the winning post comes into view.

For the preceding Peter Douglas Selling Hurdle, it may be worth taking a chance on Dalida (1.20) to beat the favourite, Holly Walk.

Having been held in quite high regard, Patrick Haslam's filly has been a huge under-achiever to date. There was, however, the merest flicker of light at the end of the tunnel when Dalida made some eye-catching late headway on the flat at Southwell recently.

Of course there can be no cast-iron guarantee that Haslam's three-year-old will maintain the progress now that she switches back to the sticks, but in my book it is a risk worth taking in what is a rank bad race.

In a complete break from tradition, Windsor's executive have opted to save their feature race, the £25,000 Bluesquare-sponsored Handicap Hurdle, until the last contest on the card.

Goblet Of Fire makes a rapid reappearance after failing to justify massive market support at Cheltenham's Cross Country fixture last Friday. His out-of-pocket-backers will be keen to have another go to try to repair the damage, but my preference is for Cupboard Lover (3.40), fancied to defy a 22-month absence.

Nicky Henderson is an absolute master when it comes to bringing back his horses in tip-top shape, whatever the length of time they have spent on the sidelines. And the Official Handicapper has also been reasonably generous to Cupboard Lover, dropping him a handy 4lb since finishing a close third to the classy Brooklyns Gold at Kempton in February 2003.

Finally to Wolverhampton and the prospects of Tayif (2.15) in the Bet Direct Selling Stakes.

Two or three years ago Andrew Reid's grey would have been far too speedy for this afternoon's line-up, such was his clear-cut superiority in the official ratings. Age has caught up with the eight-year-old veteran and he's not quite the force of old, but he probably still retains sufficient pace to be fully effective in plating grade.

The champagne corks will be popping if Sendintank (3.20) equals the British record of winning 11 handicaps in a calendar year.

Stewart Williams reports his multiple-scoring gelding to be in "really good form" for the run-up to the £10,000 mile-and-a-half Bet Direct Handicap, an event in which the amazingly consistent and much-improved four-year-old is a leading contender.

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