Gimme Shelter, who shaped as though coming to hand at Market Rasen last time, has plenty going for him in the BBC Radio Newcastle Handicap Chase over three miles and six furlongs this at Newcastle racecourse this afternoon.

Assuming the course passes an early morning inspection (after the threat of frost) the veteran chaser looks well equipped to deal with the demands of this trip in testing ground in this ordinary company.

His latest run was his best for some time and, given that he is a dual winner over four miles at Hexham in his time, should be staying on too strongly for a couple of unreliable performers this time.

Mikasa drops in trip but also won't mind conditions and, after a solid recent run at Ayr, is the fancy in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Chase over the extended two miles.

Roger Fisher, already on the mark in the New Year, has sound claims with his six-year-old, who showed he could cope with two miles on a sound surface when winning at Cartmel in May.

King Of Confusion looks a potentially useful sort who is taken to win his third race over hurdles in an uncompetitive-looking Phoenix Security Novices Hurdle over three miles.

And, although unlikely to be much of a price, Nicky Richards Etched In Stone should be hard to beat in the nitex.co.uk National Hunt Novices Hurdle over two miles.

Richards can also be on the mark with Ever Present on his chase debut in the two mile novices chase.

There are no weather concerns on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton and Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams can score with Mambazo in division one of the six furlong handicap and with Holiday Cocktail in division two of the seven furlong apprentice handicap.

The former is on the upgrade and followed a five furlong win at this course with a solid effort in defeat over this trip at Lingfield last week.

He should go close from the same mark from his favourable draw.

Holiday Cocktail got off the mark on his all-weather debut from a wide draw at Lingfield last time and, given he is still unexposed, is taken to follow up on this slightly different surface from a better berth this time around.

Robert Winston is riding plenty of winners since his return from a bad injury and he can guide Grenane to victory in division two of the First Past The Post At Betdirect Handicap over six furlongs.

David Evans, on the mark at this course last week with Kensington (also ridden by Winston), saddled the three-year-old to win over course and distance on his penultimate start and he lost little in defeat over seven at Lingfield last time.

Division one of the aforementioned seven furlong apprentice handicap can go to Andrew Balding's Storm Centre, who has showed plenty of ability on turf and who is bred to go on this surface.

Over the sticks at Taunton the most interesting race of the day - the Orchard Restaurant Handicap Chase over three miles - can go to Jonjo O'Neill progressive Royal Hector.

A multiple winner over hurdles last winter, the seven-year-old has the potential to be as good over fences and ran creditably behind a smart sort in Voy Por Ustedes at Warwick last time.

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