NICKY Henderson mounts a two-pronged attack on the 32Red Handicap Chase at Sandown, with narrow preference for the very smart French Opera.

Last season’s Grand Annual Challenge Cup runner-up has been brought along steadily.

While he might just need the run, the 5lb claim of David Bass eases the burden at the top of the weights. Stablemate Dave’s Dream is the obvious danger.

Toubab was a wide-margin winner at Haydock last time and he looks the right type in the 32Red Hurdle, a race much better known as the Tolworth.

He looked decent in a couple of starts last year and while one may question the form of his eight-length romp on Merseyside, it was nevertheless an eyecatching performance.

At Wincanton Donald Mc- Cain will be breathing a huge sigh of relief as he finally gets a run into Ballabriggs by way of his division of the Higos Insurance Glastonbury Novices’ Hurdle.

The 10-year-old has been foiled by the weather in recent weeks but is reported to be bursting for a run as he starts out on the road to the Grand National.

Southwell’s Fibresand surface has proved the making of Dubai Hills and he can continue his rapid ascent in the ratings with another victory there tomorrow.

The five-year-old managed one win in 12 turf starts but his strike-rate on the allweather is vastly superior, with two victories in three outings to his credit.

After finishing a close-up third on his initial start last November, Dubai Hills made short work of his rivals next time, triumphing by 13 lengths in a respectable time for a slow track.

Raised 10lb for that effort, Dubai Hills shrugged off the extra burden with another wide-margin verdict just five days ago.

The Dubai Destination gelding had an eight-length cushion that day but could easily have pulled much further clear had he wanted to.

Bryan Smart turns him out again quickly under a 6lb penalty here but that extra weight should not derail Dubai Hills’ hat-trick bid.

Smad Place can make a successful leap in class in the Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow.

A 27-length victor on his British bow, Smad Place showed plenty of stamina to run on off a strong early pace that day and he can hold the challenge of Sam Winner.