HENRY Daly’s Pearlysteps has been found the perfect opportunity in the Lindley Catering Beginners’ Chase at Hereford.

The eight-year-old has been brought along very slowly by his ever-patient trainer, but looks to be getting the hang of things.

Decent over hurdles, in two runs over fences to date it appears he is going to take even higher rank. He was unlucky to bump into Wymott on his debut over the bigger obstacles but did run him to four lengths.

Just ten days later he was out again when he found former Flat performer Golan Way had too much toe for him on the run in.

Both of those performances suggest he has race in him, though, and those experiences should be put to good use.

Charminster is a clear choice in the first division of Lindley Catering “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle following his win at Haydock in November.

Although the second Herdsman has since let the form down a little, his victory was nevertheless impressive and trainer Donald McCain has high hopes for this five-year-old.

Raduis Bleu can land a first British success in the Marsh Green Novices’ Hurdle at Lingfield.

The six-year-old was a winner in his native France but has been found wanting in five starts so far for Alan King.

He is proving equally as adept over fences and hurdles though and while he has not actually been winning, he has still chalked up a reasonable chunk of place money.

Raduis Bleu is evidently not one of the stable heavyweights but can take advantage of what looks a relatively weak race.

Howard Johnson’s Nafaath should take all the beating with a clear round in the Bet Live At victorchandler.com Novices’ Chase at Ayr.

He was rated over 100 when trained by Kevin Prendergast on the level and in three runs over hurdles showed ability.

Indeed, the last of those was in Grade One company at Aintree.

Two miles might prove to be on the sharp side in time but his class should see him through.

Elusive Fame is something of a Southwell specialist and he can arrest a seven-month losing spell back at the Nottinghamshire venue.

Four times a winner at the track, he has slipped down the ratings a bit over the last few months after running some fair races without actually troubling the judge. He is now 1lb lower than his last winning mark and merits respect in the Place Only Betting At bluesq.com Handicap.

Nicholas Pocock just failed to gain the day by a head at Wolverhampton last time out but he can gain compensation in the bluesq.com On Your iPhone Apprentice Handicap back at that track.

■ Blazing Bailey is a possible for the John Smith’s Grand National following his victory at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer Alan King has the Aintree spectacular in mind for the nine-year-old who returned to form in tremendous fashion.

King admitted being surprised at the former classy staying hurdler’s convincing 11-length success over Richard’s Sundance in a competitive handicap chase over an extended three and a quarter miles.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does and go from there. I think he’s going to have an entry at Aintree but I don’t know where we go next,” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“I’m in no rush to run him back just yet, we’ll probably go again with him in six weeks.

“It was great to see him win but I can’t say it was expected.

He’s had a lot of hard battles over the years.”

King’s across-the-card double was completed by Salden Licht.

The totesport Trophy at Newbury on February 12 is the objective after the seven-year-old defied top weight in a handicap hurdle at Exeter.

“We’ll have to see what the handicapper does with him but he could go straight for the totesport Trophy,” he added.