SEVEN Is My Number has made relentless progress this year and can carry on the good work at Ascot.

The David Pipe-trained seven-year-old has enjoyed a flawless start to his fencing career, winning three from three in some style.

Given the calibre of opposition, his latest success at Bangor was arguably his most impressive, even though the winning distance was only a short head.

Seven Is My Number jumped for fun in what was an extremely competitive novice chase, eventually proving a shade too good for the well-regarded Khachaturian.

In light of his progressive profile, it is hardly surprising connections have opted to go down the handicap route in the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Listed honours look cosily within his radar.

Ollie Magern is a force to be reckoned with when fresh and looks set to claim a third victory in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The 11-year-old made every yard of the running in 2005 and 2007, turning in two fantastic displays of jumping over what are notoriously unforgiving fences.

He was beaten just a length by State Of Play in the Grade Two prize 12 months ago and the likely fast conditions will play to his strengths.

Unlike some of his rivals who may have targets later in the season, you can be sure Nigel Twiston-Davies will have his charge fully tuned-up for this assignment.

In what is not a vintage renewal by any stretch of the imagination, it would be disappointing if he is not again involved in the finish.

It could well turn out to be a fantastic day for the Twiston-Davies camp as Pettifour goes for a second successive victory in the John Smith’s Hurdle.

The seven-year-old rounded off the last campaign with arguably his best ever effort as he chased home Fiveforthree at the Punchestown Festival.

And with just 12 runs under his belt, there could be more improvement to come.

Flat enthusiasts have some decent action at Newmarket into which to sink their teeth, including the Listed bet365.com James Seymour Stakes.

Godolphin’s Prince Siegfried arrived on the back of two runaway successes here and at Ayr and it would be a brave man who bets against him completing a hattrick.

Knockara Beau makes his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle and can take his chasing record to two wins from two attempts.

The Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase looks a really competitive encounter, but George Charlton’s inmate promises to be very good in this sphere and gets plenty of weight from some of the likely principals.

After winning a couple of bumpers in 2008, the six-yearold pulled up on his hurdling bow at Aintree last October and finished only third the following month at Kelso.

However, a subsequent break clearly did him good and after returning with a commanding win at Musselburgh in February, he took a Grade Two event by 27 lengths at Kelso.

Trips to the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals followed, yielding fine fifth and seventh-placed finishes in the Ballymore and Sefton Novices’ Hurdles respectively.