Richard Fahey doesn't have many runners at Newmarket so it looks significant that he is pitching his Fonthill Road in at the deep end for the Exning Handicap over six furlongs on day three of the Craven meeting at Headquarters this afternoon.
The three-year-old hasn't beaten much of any note in two outings to date on all-weather and on turf but it has been the manner of those victories that has been impressive.
The drop back to five furlongs looked against him at Catterick last time but he managed to win in good style, despite missing the break, and is well worth his place in this field from a mark of only 66.
Given he's a good sort physically, there's the promise of plenty more improvement to come and he's taken to beat Luca Cumani's Arzoo, who will also be suited by the return to this trip on his seasonal reappearance.
Michael Bell's horses are in fairly good form and his Saturn is likely to give a very good account in the week's showpiece event - the Macau Jockey Club Craven Stakes over a mile.
The three-year-old will be in his element under today's conditions and will also be suited by the return to a mile after a very creditable run in last year's Dewhurst, when fifth to Tout Seul.
He's the type to have improved through the winter and he's sure to be well forward for this reappearance outing.
He's taken to beat Splendid Era, who was impressive when winning twice on sand last year and should be even better over this trip.
Bell can also be on the mark with Nevisian Lad, who is bred to be able to go a bit and has the services of Kieran Fallon in the Creature Comforts EBF Maiden over five furlongs.
Paul Cole's Harcourt looks a very interesting runner now upped to a mile and a quarter in the Swaffham Handicap.
The three-year-old has shown a fair level of ability on each outing to date and shaped as though better than the bare result at Ascot on his reappearance last time.
That form has already received several boosts by those that finished around him and he's taken to beat a similarly lightly-raced type in Chaffinch, who is from the in-form Roger Charlton yard.
At Ripon, Charlton can be on the mark with Ski Jump, who turned in a much-improved effort on his reappearance and should relish the extra quarter mile of the Copt Hewick Handicap over a mile and a half.
The progressive three-year-old won with the proverbial ton in hand at Leicester on that occasion and though he's taken a hefty rise in the weights, this longer trip is likely to bring about improvement and his style of racing is well suited to this track.
David Chapman's horses have been running back into form of late and his Soaked looks worth a small investment in the Newby Apprentice Handicap over five furlongs.
The veteran speedster goes well for inexperienced riders and should be all the better for a couple of recent outings on Fibresand.
He can make his way to the far rails from his double-figure draw and is certainly on a reasonable mark at present.
* Paul Nicholls bettered his previous best of 136 winners in a season when Poliantas made virtually all the running to collect the featured Faucets For Mira Showers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.
The six-year-old jumped with alacrity in the hands of Ruby Walsh, before galloping ten lengths clear of Fondmort with Upgrade a further nine lengths back in third spot.
Nicholls said: ''When I saw the paper this morning and he was 11-1 outsider of the field I had to laugh as he definitely should not have been that price as he has just come to himself and has been working well at home.
''He just wasn't himself at the Festival when finishing behind La Landiere but we were hopeful of him going well today as we've been patient with him and just let him blossom in his own time. He will stay three miles next season."
Get more on racing at our Racing North site.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article