ONE benefit for racegoers from the recent cold blast is the need for trainers to get runs into their big Cheltenham hopes, and that is the case on a cracking card at Huntingdon.

Mighty Man takes his next step on the big-race road in the Huntingdon Novices’ Chase at the Cambridgeshire venue – with a ticket to the RSA Chase in the offing.

Top-class over hurdles, but injury-plagued, the Henry Daly-trained gelding looked a natural over the bigger obstacles at Hereford in December, travelling and jumping effortlessly.

While not initially sounding that keen on the RSA, connections seem to have had a rethink.

Cheltenham is also on the mind of the Mille Chief team as the Triumph Hurdle favourite bids for a second win over obstacles in division two of the Huntingdon Racecourse For Outdoor Events Novices’ Hurdle.

He was brought down first time out, and although he did not win by far last time he was overcoming a decent rival and his stable is really starting to fire now.

Ballabrook was unlucky not to win at Ludlow last time but compensation awaits in the Scottish Racing Your Better Bet Handicap Chase at Musselburgh.

The eight-year-old did not enjoy the best of runs that day and possibly waited a touch too long before making his challenge.

He went down by just a nose to The Snail, and although he hung on the flat there Ballabrook can gain just reward.

Rocket Rob made an excellent start for new connections when winning at Wolverhampton this month and can follow up in the digibet Handicap at Kempton.

Winner of four races for Simon Callaghan last year, the four-year-old is now in the care of Marco Botti after his former handler’s switch to America.

Rocket Rob seems to have settled into the new regime too, returning from a fourmonth lay-off with a gutsy success over the minimum trip at Dunstall Park just under two weeks ago.

The Danetime gelding could have been forgiven if in need of the run, but he was evidently primed for action when holding Excellent Show by a head.

Put up 2lb for that effort, Rocket Rob will now have to defy a career-high mark but is entitled to improve for his return and is smart enough to shrug off the rise.

Love Delta is on a roll and can make it a hat-trick in the Joan Ayres’ 93rd Birthday Celebration Today Handicap.

He did not look all that special on his first try on Polytrack at this venue but has since come good in two starts at Southwell.

The surface was less at fault on his defeat than the fact he did not settle that well, but he has a bit more experience now and can keep the bandwagon rolling.

Fine Silk showed little in three starts for Bryan Smart but looked a different proposition on her all-weather bow for Mick Quinlan earlier in January.