Andrew Balding has created a very favourable impression since taking over the reins from his father Ian at their Kingsclere base.

The Hampshire trainer, who has saddled three winners from his last eight runners on artificial surfaces, can be on the mark with the lightly-raced Spanish Gold in the betdirect.co.uk Handicap over a mile and one furlong at Wolverhampton today.

The daughter of Vettori looked set for bigger and better things after thrashing excellent yardstick and subsequent winner Sparky's Mate by eight lengths over the extended mile at this course last March.

But she has only made the track twice since and, although she didn't show much on her first start for Balding last month, the drop to seven furlongs on the faster Polytrack surface wouldn't have been in her favour.

She should be all the better for that first run in nearly six months and is likely to be well-suited by both the return to this longer trip and the fibresand surface.

She's open to plenty of improvement and is taken to beat Del Mar Sunset.

Martin Dwyer, who takes the ride, can also be on the mark with Honest Injun for Barry Hills in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Maiden over seven furlongs.

The three-year-old bettered his debut effort by some way when second at Redcar in November and, as a full brother to this winter's course winner To Wit To Woo, should have no problems with this surface.

Mr Pertemps, who attracted support and ran with a good deal of encouragement at this course last Friday, may well take all the beating in division two of the Bet Direct In Vision Sky Page 293 Handicap over six furlongs.

Richard Fahey's six-year-old may be a bit better than that bare form too, as he missed a beat at the start and had to use up valuable energy earlier than ideal to get a favoured pitch up with the pace.

This looks much less competitive and, with the cheekpieces on for the first time, he's taken to get back to winning ways at the expense of Magic Eagle, who could be worth a small each-way saver at decent odds.

Division One looks a trappy event but it could go to Enjoy The Buzz, who has run creditably on his last two starts at this course and will be suited by the return to this trip after a run over five last time.

Southwell's Regional Racing fixture is not surprisingly low on quality, but the best bet on the card is recent course and distance winner Lucayan Monarch, who is from a yard in top form and can beat modest rivals in the Press Interactive To Bet Direct Claimer over seven furlongs.

Over the sticks at Fontwell Gary Moore's Going Global looks an interesting runner in the competitive Crown Racing Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The gelding looks better than ever this season and is a proven performer over this course and distance.

He ran the most progressive Perouse (winner since) to five lengths on his penultimate start and his last run has already thrown up a subsequent winner.

Paul Nicholls will take some stopping in the trainers' championship this year and his Jolly Giant and Khaladjistan could be two more for the Somerset winner factory in the 3.00 and 4.00 respectively.

* Isio and Azertyuiop shared the plaudits at Ascot after producing a stirring duel for the £120,000 Victor Chandler Chase.

On an afternoon when jumps fans were treated to plenty of top-class action, the pair rightfully shared centre stage after a theatrical finish to the day's most vaulable contest, in which Isio prevailed by a neck.

With the game's stars in action across the country, all talk of British jumps racing being in dire straits was banished.

After seeing Isio valiantly hold Azertyuiop after a rare set-to in the closing stages, winning trainer Nicky Henderson beamed: ''That was just a great race, what jumps racing is all about.

''I feel sorry for the runner-up because he was giving all that weight away (19lb), but I am pleased for our fellow."

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