TARATEENO has made breathless progress this term and can bring up the hat-trick at Southwell.

Paul Murphy’s seven-year-old began his winning spree at Towcester in November, when he readily accounted for Barrys Ark, who is not a bad yardstick.

The game looked up at Uttoxeter, however, when headed at the last after making an unseemly gaffe.

Murphy’s representative has reservoirs of stamina, though, and responded with real purpose to score by a neck.Although he again has it all to prove off a mark of 111, Tarateeno has a big heart and a big engine – and is crucially still progressing.

He could feasibly strike again in the Play Golf At Southwell Golf Club Handicap Hurdle.

A strong argument can also be made for Rapid Increase, who lines up in the Saga Health Insurance Handicap Chase at Folkestone.

Jonjo O’Neill’s seven-year-old cashed in on a drop in the weights at Hereford last time with an accomplished success over a far longer trip than which he had grown accustomed. Although burdened with another 7lb here, there ought to be much more still left in the locker.

It all adds up to a Calculating success at Wolverhampton.Mark Usher’s six-year-old impressed many observers on his most recent foray to Dunstall Park, and looks to have a fine opportunity of going one place better.

The stamina-laden gelding underscored his well-being last Thursday with a typically nononsense second behind Leyte Gulf, who is surely destined for better things.

One blip at Southwell aside, Calculating has been nothing if not genuine of late, and is also twice a scorer at Wolverhampton.

Invariably best over marathon trips – Usher’s charge has won before here over an extended two miles – he looks a tasty proposition in the Bet In Running – Betdaq Handicap.

The fact he is just 2lb higher than his last winning mark of 64 heightens the sense of anticipation.

Big things are also expected of Desert Bump, who can make short shrift of a protracted absence to take the Wolverhampton Hospitality – A Pleasure Fillies’ Handicap.

Ed Vaughan has trodden a careful path with this four-yearold filly, who has only been seen four times on a racecourse.She knows the score on the allweather tracks, however, and is already a winner at Wolves.

Her mark of 72 could emerge exceedingly frivolous in the fulness of time. Jan Mayen is also expected to hit the ground running in the Enjoy The Lucky 7 Group Offer Maiden Stakes.

A smart debut at Kempton can be augmented by Mark Johnston’s decision to drop her down in trip for this one-mile assignment.