A low draw and the ability to race up with the pace are the requirements over both sprint distances at Chester's left-turning track when the ground is good or faster.

Empress Jain, a really speedy sort who is housed in stall one, looks sure to make a bold bid to complete a three-timer in the Halifax Handicap over the minimum distance.

From the in-form Michael Jarvis' stable, the three-year-old showed bags of foot when spreadeagling her rivals in a Yarmouth handicap on her reappearance and, although considerably higher in the weights, will be hard to peg back if showing the same alacrity from the stalls.

Reg Hollinshead's maiden winner Makfly is also drawn in stall one and is an interesting runner on his reappearance and handicap debut in the Senior Wright Handicap over six furlongs.

Although the ground was much softer when he won at Doncaster on his second and final outing of last year, he had previously shown plenty of toe on a sound surface and is one of the few in this race open to much improvement.

The Betfred Handicap over five furlongs earlier on the card looks a competitive event but things could work in the favour of Judd Street, who turned in a career-best effort on turf when scoring at Windsor on his reappearance.

A low draw and the likely strong pace are factors in his favour and, given he is a three-time winner at Lingfield's all-weather venue, the return to a sharp left- hand track is unlikely to inconvenience and he is the type to progress further.

The MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase is an uncompetitive event but the one that appeals most is Sir Michael Stoute's recent Newmarket handicap winner Papal Bull, who remains firmly on the upgrade.

The manner of that win, coupled with his running style, suggests strongly that this extra quarter-mile trip will be in his favour and he is taken to beat recent Group winner Primary.

Stoute has Maraahel in the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Huxley Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter but he's not going to be much of a price for one that may have his quirks and preference is for Kew Green, who may be allowed to set his own pace.

Stoute is fancied to be on the mark at Yarmouth with Stage Gift in the bet365 Call 08000 322 365 Handicap and with Duty in the Weatherbys Insurance Maiden over the extended mile-and-three-furlongs.

The former, gelded after his final run last year, looks the best bet on the card having only needed to be pushed out to get off the mark in a competitive Kempton handicap on his reappearance. He is open to plenty of progress.

At Wetherby's evening meeting, Howard Johnson's progressive Majorca is the stand-out bet on the card following a workmanlike success at Sedgefield last time in the Nidd Vale Wetherby Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

Back on the Flat at Hamilton's evening meeting, Catch The Cat, who ran so well from out of the handicap at Musselburgh last time, is fancied to go very close from his proper mark in the less competitive Rectangle Group Handicap over five furlongs.

Alan Berry is among the winners at present and he's fancied to have another first with Obe Bold in the Hamilton Park Amateur Riders Handicap over six furlongs.