DESERT FIGHTER will take some beating in the opener at Ludlow, provided he is in the mood for a scrap.

Mary Reveley's ten-year-old doesn't always relish the heat of the battle and for that reason he is now mainly confined to competing in selling company, where he is able to succeed by virtue of superior class, rather than having to come up with the goods in the courage department.

That was the deciding factor two outings ago over course and distance when he didn't have to dig too deep to account for a similar standard field to the one he takes on in the Sports Daily Selling Hurdle.

The broken leg that now seems certain to keep Richard Johnson on the sidelines for at least three months has let in Paul Flynn for a number of choice rides at Philip Hobbs' yard.

Ashgar (3.30) definitely enters the above category having shown tremendous promise on his only start to date when chasing home Winchester at Catterick last term.

He reappears in the TRNI Maiden Hurdle, where he probably has most to fear from the useful ex-Flat performer Jack Dawson, from John Berry's Newmarket stable.

Taunton's tight track greatly favours course specialists, enhancing considerably the prospects of Indian Temple (3.40) in the Exmoor Champion Hound Handicap.

Trainer Kevin Bishop and jockey Roddy Greene are both in pretty good form and Indian Temple, with two course wins already, has the potential to go well at a double-digit starting price.

The mile-and-a-quarter Apprentice Handicap at Lingfield can go the way of Roger Ingram's Stromsholm (1.20).

The decision to side with Stromsholm stems from the invaulable assistance of the champion apprentice Chris Catlin in the saddle, plus the huge advantage of the number-one berth.

A low draw is especially vital at Lingfield in ten-furlong events simply because the first bend comes so soon after the stalls open.

"Sparky" Clark knows his onions when it comes to riding on the sand and he won't be taking any prisoners aboard City Reach (3.50), weighted to win division 2 of the Trackside Carvery Handicap.

* Nap selection STAN'S YOUR MAN provided followers of Janus (Colin Woods) with an effortless 11-8 winner at Kelso yesterday.