ICE-COOL Keith Mercer heads to Leicester this afternoon with a great chance of completing a quick-fire hat-trick aboard Ulusaba (2.15).

Ferdy Murphy's in-form eight-year-old has won on his last couple of visits to the Midlands track, each time with Mercer producing Ulusaba late and fast to snatch the spoils in the closing stages.

It takes plenty of nerve to employ such daring waiting tactics, but for one so relatively inexperienced Keith possesses a superb racing brain, and in both cases he refused to panic when those ahead of him appeared to be in command.

It seems Ulusaba requires a target to aim for. But give the horse his due - when Mercer asks for maximum effort he generally responds in kind, boding well for the combination's prospects in the Smarter Investor Handicap Chase over a shade under three miles.

Punters wanting to side with a good old-fashioned type of street-fighter at Newbury need look no further than Lord Of Illusion (1.00) in the Racing UK Novices Handicap Chase.

Not once out of the first three on his previous six outings, Lord Of Illusion recently made mincemeat of his rivals at Ludlow with a simply awesome front-running exhibition.

Trainer Tom George appears as if he has a potential staying star on his hands, nor will stable jockey Jason Maguire let the side down.

I expect him to send the selection to the front early on then remain in charge for the rest of the contest.

The Pat Hawkins Retirement Handicap Chase brings together some potential Cheltenham Festival types, including Surprising, Willie John Daly, and Fox In The Box (2.35).

Fox In The Box was denied his three-timer by the minimum margin at Exeter last time out when touched off in a thrilling nip-and-tuck duel with Tresor De Mai, who was literally lifted over the winning line under a never-say-die ride from Tony McCoy.

Finishing second is always a bitter pill to swallow, but Robert Alner's progressive seven-year-old lived to fight another day and I believe he's got the class to gain deserved compensation in the extended three-mile-and-two-furlong event.

Finally to Lingfield, where Piquet (11.50) bids to maintain her excellent record at the Surrey venue.

John Bridger's game mare has won no less than three times at the track during the last 12 months, not to mention being placed numerous times. She was also especially eye-catching eight days ago when grabbing fourth spot, despite forfeiting vital ground by being taken all around the houses on the wide outside.

I anticipate Piquet being given a far more aggressive ride in division one of the Lynhurst Press Banded Stakes, enabling the six-year-old to keep much closer tabs on the leaders and launch a decisive thrust once the runners turn and head for home.

In the following seven-furlong Bet Direct Tri-Banded Stakes, Zonnebeke (12.20) makes plenty of appeal.

Zonnebeke won and finished runner-up on turf during the summer, form which combined with two encouraging runs at Southwell of late suggests the filly is capable of taking a hand in today's extremely modest affair.

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