FENIX (3.40) and Fontwell go together like strawberries and cream, judged by the impressive way he won at the course in November.

Lucy Wadham's seven-year-old has since run a stinker at Sandown, but close inspection of the videotape shows Fenix was never travelling with any fluency and when his chance was gone, Leighton Aspell let him coast home.

Previously Aspell and partner had treated their rivals with contempt on a successful visit to today's venue, romping seven lengths clear of the toiling Gods Token, who is no mug.

This afternoon Fenix is being asked to go a further couple of furlongs in pursuit of the World Bet Handicap Hurdle, however on all known form the extra distance shouldn't bother the selection one jot.

In the preceding Take Control Handicap Chase, Loose Morals (3.10) is sure to strip fitter for last month's encouraging comeback spin at Folkestone.

Loose Morals was swinging along in great style until lack of a recent run took its toll and she quickly ran out of petrol at the third fence from the finish.

Emma Lavelle's inmates nearly always come on a ton with a run under their belts, so it's not unrealistic to expect her five-year-old mare to emerge all guns blazing in the stamina-sapping three-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

* Alan King is in no hurry to sign up a jockey to take the reins aboard Voy Por Ustedes in the Stan James-sponsored Desert Orchid Chase on December 27.

Regular partner Robert Thornton will not be able to renew his partnership with last season's Arkle winner after breaking a collarbone in a fall at Exeter and while King would be pleased for Tony McCoy to deputise in the Kempton contest, he does not anticipate the Irishman being available.