Manbow, a progressive chaser who has won four of his six starts over the larger obstacles, is fancied to go well on his reappearance in the betdaq.co.uk Handicap Chase over three miles at Haydock this afternoon.

Micky Hammond's strapping gelding always looked the sort to leave his hurdle form a long way behind over the larger obstacles and he improved to the tune of 35lb in his six starts last year.

On all four occasions when successful, he was partnered by Graham Lee, who renews his association with him this afternoon and, given he won on his reappearance last year, should have no problems with fitness after his summer break.

Although 9lb higher than his last win at Wetherby in April, that form worked out well, with the third and fourth winning on their next outings, and he looks sure to give another good account.

Crow Wood, who created a very favourable impression on his recent hurdle debut at Uttoxeter, is fancied to follow-up under a penalty in the Tony Lawton Novices Hurdle over two miles.

John Quinn's team is in good form and the useful middle-distance Flat performer jumped his rivals silly when beating Barton Flower with much more in hand than the official five-length margin implies. Although he hit the penultimate flight, his hurdling technique was sound. He should not mind if there is any rain and he is open to a good deal of progress in this sphere.

Len Lungo's Lutin De Moulin, who returns from his summer break, looks sure to appreciate the step up to three miles and makes plenty of appeal in the jmc.it Handicap hurdle.

The progressive six-year-old won on both easy and fast ground at Sedgefield when last seen in May and he looks just the sort to improve this term, especially granted this stiffer test of stamina.

With recent winner Polished still to prove himself over this trip, the Manson Insurance Group Handicap over two and a half miles is best left to Richard Guest's Pass Me By.

On his first run for his new stable he showed improved form back over the larger obstacles when successful over this trip at Carlisle and he is likely to attempt to turn this into a test of stamina.

Guest can also be on the mark with Topwell, who shaped well on his debut at Hexham without being knocked about and he is fancied to go close in the Alder Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race over two miles.

At Brighton Sylvester Kirk's Montjeu Baby, a consistent sort who has been running well of late, is fancied to give a good account in the Sporting Index Handicap over a mile. Her main rival was below her best when back on the scoresheet at Wolverhampton on sand last time but she could do no more than win a shade snugly. A win and a close second placing from only two starts here shows she handles this track well.

Sir Desmond, who will be suited by the likely decent pace, is from a stable in form and goes well for Chris Catlin, gets the vote in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap.

Best bet at Ludlow could be the progressive Possible Gale, who will relish the quick underfoot conditions and is the fancy in the Christmas At Ludlow Novices Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.

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