BARRY Hills has been setting personal milestones left, right and centre in the early weeks of the new Flat season – and another winner looks on the cards with Shabib in the Hr Go Go Go Maiden Stakes at Folkestone.

The Lambourn handler saddled his 3000th winner at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago, and also broke through the 300-triumph barrier at Newmarket’s Craven meeting.

Shabib could not hav7e gone much closer to adding to Hills’ tally on his seasonal debut at Lingfield on April 1, but compensation awaits in Kent.

Having run two solid races last term, punters sent him off as the 4-11 favourite, but he was nailed on the line by Michael Bell’s well-regarded Secret Society.

He has now qualified for handicaps, but it is significant Hills believes he is capable of picking off a maiden – and this does not look a very strong contest on paper.

Andrew Balding’s Final Victory shaped very nicely on his debut last season and the step up to a mile and a half is expected to see him come into his own.

Pitched into a Newbury maiden over a mile, he was sent off an unconsidered 50-1 chance, but belied those odds by finishing fifth.

The winner, Skanky Biscuit, was less than six lengths away and went on to finish third behind stablemate Crowded House in the Group One Racing Post Trophy.

There are a couple of other nice prospects in the Richard Holland Maiden Stakes but, being by Generous, Final Victory should relish the 12-furlong trip.

Mark Johnston’s Planetary Motion can go well back in a small field in the Groupama Insurances Handicap, while Henry Candy can strike with Cawdor in the RG Kelly Windows Maiden Stakes at Bath.

Having showed up well in three maidens last year, he has been given a rating of 74 – which is usually good enough to win a maiden.

David Barron has never had his horses running better and Flores Sea, a good scorer at Southwell last month, can follow up back at the Nottinghamshire venue in the southwell-racecourse.co.uk Handicap.

Philip Hobbs has chosen to strike while the iron is hot with Calusa Crystal in the Sponsor A Race racesponsors.co.uk Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Towcester – and the hint should be taken.