Northern Desert, who very much caught the eye after a break last time, looks the best bet of the day in the £10 Free Bet Handicap over a mile at Lingfield, writes Richard Young (Janus).

Peter Hiatt's runner, a course and distance winner in January, shaped well after a near six-month break when a close fifth to the in-form Perfect Story over seven furlongs and the winner wasn't disgraced back over six last time.

The return to a mile will be very much in his favour and, granted more luck in running, he is capable of giving a good account in a race featuring mainly exposed sorts from his current mark.

William Haggas and Tony Culhane have over a 40% strike rate when teaming up on artificial surfaces this winter and the combination can again click with Appreciated in division two of the betdirect.co.uk Maiden over a mile.

After hinting at ability on her debut at this course, she fared better at Southwell last time and, with Culhane taking over from a 7lb apprentice, should be able to take care of an ordinary field.

Division one of the same contest can go to First Slip, who shaped well over this course and distance on his racecourse debut and he is entitled to come on a fair bit for this experience.

At Southwell Richard Fahey's Danelor looks the answer to the Betdirect On At The Races Interactive Claiming Stakes over his optimum trip of a mile and three furlongs.

Despite setting a decent gallop, the seven-year-old stuck to his guns in good style over this course and distance last time and is weighted to reverse placings with his conqueror that day, Mi Odds.

Derek Shaw has his team in good form and he can be on the mark with the back-to-form Parkview Love in division one of the Betdirect Freephone 0800 211 222 Handicap over seven furlongs.

A course and distance winner, he lost nothing in defeat over a mile at this course last time and won't mind the return to this trip. He is fancied to beat Certain Justice.

The second division of the same contest can go to Paul Cole's Look Of Eagles, who has been in fair form over this course and distance and, although weighted up to his best, is a reliable proposition.

Hughie Morrison's Little Ridge is on a fair mark and is taken to put a poor run at Wolverhampton behind him by lifting the Littlewoods Betdirect Handicap.

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