Red Ark to defy his 6 lb. penalty

Red Ark looks good enough to defy a 6 lb. penalty at Doncaster today. And the extra weight should not prevent his making it two wins in six days in the novices' handicap chase.

He incurred the penalty with victory in a novice handicap at Leicester, where he was ridden with great confidence and beating the useful Hitchhiker in the style of a chaser well ahead of the handicapper.

Norman Mason's gelding had won at Catterick and Newcastle previously, and he can add victory at another northern track today.

Stable-companion Nosam, successful in three of his last four starts, may have to settle for place money in the Tote Chase. He looks weighted right up to his best in this "Showcase Handicap", whereas Breath Of Scandal could have been let in lightly.

The nine-year-old looked a useful chaser in the making when winning twice at Hexham last season and finished a good fifth at Carlisle on his reappearance.

He was suffering from a lung infection when disappointing next time out and was given a short break by Chris Grant.

Breath Of Scandal shaped very well on his return over an inadequate two miles at Sedgefield on St Stephen's Day, showing plenty of dash in the early stages and eased considerably once lack of peak fitness told late on.

He has been dropped 2 lb. by the handicapper since and can take full advantage, now that he returns to a more suitable 191/2 furlong trip.

Bodfari Cream will take some beating in the novices' hurdle. He has won National Hunt flat races here and at Wetherby in the style of a well-above-average recruit and need only jump adequately to make a successful hurdling debut.

Father Krismas can make it third time lucky over fences in the Swaines Farm Fresh Produce Novices' Chase. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, a useful hurdler, has been placed on both his starts to date in chases.

And his second to Mr Markham over this course and distance a fortnight ago makes him the clear form choice today.