Forestal to make amends

Forestal, who runs well when fresh, can put a poor performance last time behind him to take the Stanley Racing Chase (Showcase Handicap) at Doncaster today. The seven-year-old's run at Wetherby was too bad to be true, for he was tailed off when falling at the final fence in the race won by the smart Eirespray.

He had won his first three completed starts over fences and had failed by only three lengths to give Ask Me Later 14lb at Newcastle in November on his previous start. A winner at Wetherby on his seasonal debut on good ground, Howard Johnson's charge will relish similar conditions at Town Moor.

Wynyard Knight can beat a small but select field in the Club Novices' Chase. The seven-year-old made an impressive debut over the bigger obstacles when making all the running to defeat Cavalier d'Or by a distance over two miles at Ayr seven weeks ago.

Mary Reveley's runner had shown progressive form over hurdles last season and looks a smart recruit to the chasing game. His four rivals, headed by Sweet Gently, all boast useful form but Wynyard Knight looks a cut above them.

The Saltburn trainer can complete a double with Brother Of Iris in the Sandall Beat Novices' Handicap Chase. Stepped up to three miles over today's course and distance last month, Brother Of Iris jumped well and quickened clear to beat Zaitoon by seven lengths. The runner-up reopposes on terms 14lb better but such was the superiority of the winner that the form can be confirmed.

Warrlin, caught in the dying strides by the gambled on Duke's Mount at Market Rasen, can go one better in the Selby Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle. The Chris Fairhurst-trained five-year-old has been in tremendous form, winning at Cartmel and Sedgefield, and is capable of defying top-weight.

Goodtime George looks a worthwhile bet in the EBF `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Qualifier after gaining a well-deserved success in a two-and-a-half maiden hurdle at Stratford a month ago.

Ed James's horses are in good form and Falmouth Bay can keep up the work by winning the Six Mile Bottom Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone.

Best bet on Southwell's marathon eight-race card looks to be Baron De Pichon in the Carlton-On-Trent Handicap. Nick Littmoden's charge completed a hat-trick in grand style at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and is in such fine fettle that he cannot be opposed.