NICK'S CHOICE (4.10) looks the pick of the bunch at Warwick in the Lady Riders' Handicap Hurdle.

Dai Burchell's ten-year-old is being whipped out again double-quick, having routed a much stronger field on a highly profitable weekend trip to Newcastle.

The penalty system means Nick's Choice shoulders only a further 6lb for that success, a small price to pay considering he'll probably be reassessed to the tune of an extra 10-12lb for what was a runaway victory.

Another horse to have run last time out at Newcastle was Olney Lad (3.40), a major player for the preceding Novices Chase.

Unlike Nick's Choice, it was an unhappy visit to Tyneside for Olney Lad, who was one length down and still in contention when making an untimely exit as a result of a shocking blunder three fences from the finish.

Current ratings suggest Russ Garritty's mount is fully capable of making amends in today's £10,000 feature. But he'll have to stay on his feet for the extended three-mile event.

According to my speed figures, Joe McHugh (4.40) actually ran a few pounds below his best when opening his account over fences nine days ago.

If the numbers are to be believed, it could mean Charlie Mann's progressive gelding has plenty in hand on his rivals for the longest race on the card, the three-mile-five-furlong Handicap Chase.

Anna Newton Smith's team suffered a reverse when English Jim (2.50) failed to justify favouritism on a fruitless foray to Folkestone in February.

English Jim has since been given a month off to get his act together, a tidy break which could have freshened him up sufficiently to take Exeter's SIS Novices Hurdle.

Bottom-of-the-barrel stuff at Southwell shouldn't stop Silver Nun (4.30) breaking her duck in the Tri-Banded Stakes.

Tim Easterby's Mind Games filly showed much-improved form on her comeback last week, a pleasing pipe-opener that will have put her spot-on for today's seven furlong test.