PERSIAN POINT (4.55) looks the business in Ayr's Alexander Morton Handicap Chase.

Sandy Forster's in-form chestnut crossed the winning line like a fresh horse when picking a similar Catterick race 15 days ago, prompting the possibility of a follow-up triumph in today's £6,000 contest.

So fast did Persian Point hose up the home straight it seemed as if he'd joined in halfway round, rather than setting off with the rest of the field.

If the ten-year-old returns to the fray in equally good heart, it's hard to see beyond Persian Point, although one note of caution, he's already broken down once quite badly during an injury-stricken career.

Having appeared to be something of a bookmakers' friend, Aces Four (2.10) finally got off the mark in a Hereford maiden hurdle last month.

Crucially it was the selection's initial outing for trainer Ferdy Murphy, who took over the reins of the well-bred son of Fourstars Allstars from Tyneside-based, Billy McKeown.

Murphy clearly managed to squeeze that little bit extra out of Aces Four, fancied to complete a double in the opening two-and-a-half-mile Novices' Hurdle.

Ferdy may also be in the money if, as expected, Show Me The River (4.20) obliges by taking the two-mile Handicap Chase.

Despite being absent from action since December, a reproduction of Show Me The River's close second-placing to Coat Of Honour at Wetherby should prove more than sufficient to go one better.

Henry Daly's stable has enjoyed a purple patch of late, so it's strange to witness Saafend Rocket failing to join in the fun.

In previous seasons Saafend Rocket (3.40) has been one of the yard's stalwarts, therefore now the ground has dried up he qualifies to come good for Ludlow's Sidney Phillips Handicap Chase.

The Mid Wales Welding Claiming Hurdle is at the mercy of Broke Road (3.05), according to the official ratings.

The Heather Dalton-trained ten-year-old faced some tough tasks in far stronger company either side of Christmas, but that situation is all changed, seeing as Broke Road has been dropped significantly in grade.

Due to the closure of Doncaster, the meeting has been re-routed to Lingfield, however the decision to run the races on the polytrack, rather than turf, is somewhat surprising.

Whatever the reasons, the switch to a man-made surface will not inconvenience Azarole (4.00) in the feature on the card, the £28,000 Doncaster Mile.

Stan Moore's gelding acts well on the course, plus has been successfully strutting his stuff in Dubai, a bold, money-spinning venture typical of his underrated handler.