MOUNT Benger is in the form of his life and is difficult to oppose in Ludlow’s Alfa Aggregates Products Novices’ Chase.

Two placed efforts earlier in the year gave notice he was coming to the boil nicely and it was no surprise to see him win a claiming hurdle at Chepstow as he liked in the middle of last month.

The gelding was turned out again quickly for just his third career start over the larger obstacles at Hereford last time and it was a tactic which paid off as he came home 40 lengths clear of the crestfallen Rippling Ring.

A similar display would make him hard to beat.

Crag Path has shown more than enough on her first two starts to suggest she is capable of getting off the mark in the Advertise Your Company At racesponsors.co.uk Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Folkestone.

David Elsworth’s charge was sent off a largely unconsidered 50-1 chance on her debut at Lingfield in January but stayed on quite takingly to finish a close-up fourth.

Despite again being sent off a rank outsider for her next visit to Lingfield, she belied her odds to finish third in what was probably one of the track’s better maidens, suggesting there are races to be won with her.

The Celtic Swing filly looks the sort who could well do better once sent handicapping but should still make her presence felt at this level first.

Mick Is Back may have been plying his trade at a fairly low level last season but the opposition for his comeback is hardly inspiring either so he has to be short-listed for the Birthday Sponsorship At racesponsors.co.uk Handicap.

To the say the son of Diktat was kept busy in 2008 would be an understatement as he visited the racecourse on 21 occasions, visiting the winner’s enclosure just twice.

He ended the year with a narrow defeat in a Yarmouth seller over ten furlongs and as this slight drop in trip looks sure to suit, he should give another good account – particularly if there is some cut in the ground.

Shanafarahan seems to be improving and will take some stopping in his bid to complete a four-timer in the Free Sign Up With racesponsors.co.uk Apprentice Series Handicap.

A surprise winner at Lingfield early last month, the four-year-old quickly followed up at Kempton before returning there to score by a ready three lengths last time.