TOP-WEIGHT might not be a sufficient deterrent to prevent Dalus Park (3.10) from winning the Dennis Brown Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter this afternoon.

Although Chris Bealby's nine-year-old let favourite-backers down when narrowly failing to catch Jongleur Collonges at Towcester last month, only the harshest of critics would be displeased at what turned out be an extremely encouraging comeback performance.

Excuses are two-a-penny in the racing game, nevertheless there is a strong possibility that Dalus Park just needed the outing to put an edge on his fitness, therefore now that he's enjoyed a good old-fashioned pipe opener, victory for the selection in the three-mile contest seems the most likely outcome.

In the following Nationwide Novices' Hurdle, Bealby and his jockey, Noel Fehily, are fancied to complete a quick-fire double courtesy of Moustique de L'Isle (3.45).

Moustique de L'Isle made a most impressive hurdling debut when hacking up by five lengths over track and trip late on in October. It really was brilliant stuff to watch as the powerfully built four-year-old ploughed through the mud to destroy his opponents with a relentless galloping display.

Given the size and scope of Bealby's charismatic grey, no doubt his long-tem future in the chasing arena is assured, meanwhile the mud-loving gelding looks sure to make hay over the smaller obstacles.

The opener at the Midlands' meeting, the Sport Novices' Hurdle, brings together a couple of potentially smart sorts, Investment Affair (12.50) and Kingston Town.

Having won in a common canter at Chepstow, Kingston Town then inexplicably flopped at Taunton. Clearly nothing too serious is amiss with Martin Pipe's charge but preference remains for Ginger McCain's entry.

As far as hard evidence is concerned, Investment Affair has improved with each run this season, cumulating with an authoritative success at Haydock, where he slammed a decent field in the style of a horse destined to go on to bigger and better things.

In total contrast to Uttoxeter, Taunton's forecast ground is said to be pretty quick by the local officials, and one individual bound to relish such conditions is Red Society, yet another emerging force from the Philip Hobbs' yard.

Despite Red Society being whacked up 7lbs for a recent runaway course-and-distance triumph, statistics suggest it'll be nothing like enough to stop him mopping up the closing Sops In Wine Handicap Hurdle over an extended two-miles-and-three-furlongs.

Carlisle's fixture is the subject of a 7am inspection as a result of the heavy rainfall in the area during the past week.

If the action does get the green light, expect Vandas Choice (1.15) to make it three-in-a-row by collecting the Weatherbys Bank Novices Chase.

Lucinda Russell's rejuvenated gelding has won his latest two starts without even breaking into a sweat, form which looks extremely solid in the context of today's two-and-a-half-mile affair.

Yesterday's impressive Wetherby winner, Strong Resolve, turns out for the second time within 24 hours to take part in the feature £15,000 Ashleybank Investments Chase, however I don't believe he's up to lowering the colours of Grattan Lodge (2.25), who could make up into a live Grand National candidate.

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