HIGH On The Hog has become a source of much frustration, but should at least set the record straight in the Britvic Soft Drinks Nursery at Brighton.

The John Dunlop-trained two-year-old clearly has a modicum of talent – his second at Epsom in August was a good example of that – but he is still winless from five tries.

Three of those have indeed been at the seaside, with a solid second in June being the pick of the form.

For all of his foibles, he clearly acts with some purpose around this track and is in receipt of plenty of allowances for this contest.

The return to an extended six furlongs looks wise as he appeared not to stay a mile on his most recent foray.

Fire King has a lovely opportunity in which to score at Brighton for the third time in his career.

Andy Haynes’ four-year-old clearly loves the Sussex sea air, having also finished second four times at the demandingly tight circuit.

One such occasion was on his last start in September when he got to within three lengths of the reasonable Cavendish Road.

While the winner that day has since struggled, it may be prescient that the third home, Smart Endeavour, immediately dotted up at Wolverhampton, while the fourthplaced Destiny Blue subsequently won two on the spin.

With Brighton course form of huge importance, Fire King’s declaration here is always a statement of intent from the Haynes camp.

Moreover, he should still be competitive for the Brakes For Fresh Ideas Handicap as the assessor has left him alone on a mark of 59.

Beauchamp Xiara, meanwhile, can at long last break her winless hex in the Bet Premier League Football - Betdaq Handicap at Kempton.

Henry Candy’s filly is incredulously still a maiden after 11 starts, but that in no way tells the full story.

The daughter of Compton Admiral has been placed on her last four outings, narrowly beaten on each occasion, and is clearly not ungenuine, more desperately unfortunate.

Having already proven a liking for Kempton’s Polytrack, she should be in her element back over a mile and a half and is far better handicapped than many of these contenders in this line-up.

Thievery’s recent form figures admittedly fail to set the world alight, but he is still respected ahead of his assignment at Ludlow. Henry Daly’s nine-year-old goes well fresh and has slithered down to a most attractive mark.

And while he must brush up on his jumping – he was unseated at Southwell on his last start in April – memories of his good second over course and distance must not be forgotten.

The grey gelding enjoys competing on genuinely good ground and, intriguingly, is back to his last winning assessment ahead of the Christmas Fair On 16 November Handicap Chase.

King Penda should also go well in the Sol Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle.

There was much to admire about the unexposed sevenyear- old’s display at Hexham in May when he jumped fluently before only succumbing to Fair Spin on the run-in.

Although he is returning from a protracted absence, Nicky Richards’ representative has shown clear-cut signs of improvement from one race over hurdles to the next and can be relied upon to carry on the good work in Cumbria.

Despite having been raised 6lb for his Hexham exertions, he could still be let in pretty lightly off 96.