Today's main event is undoubtedly the Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, but this year's Grade One showpiece does not look a vintage renewal.
Horses of the calibre of French Holly, Monsignor and Noland have all won the race in the past, but there is no obvious champion in waiting among the 11 set to go to post this time.
That said, the extended two-miler remains an interesting heat and has the look of a wide-open contest.
Alsadaa and Deep Purple stand out on form, but neither have proved themselves on ground with much cut, so preference is for the Paul Nicholls-trained Breedsbreeze.
It would be somewhat ironic if the Jim Lewis-owned six-year-old wins when his superstar Best Mate could only manage second in 2000.
However, his representative is one of the most promising in the line-up and a sound pace under these conditions should bring out the best in Breedsbreeze, who is already in the mix on form.
"It's nice to be going back to a big track and a big race after such a long time. I'm quite excited about it," said Lewis yesterday.
He will be in direct opposition with Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate for him and is represented by the well-regarded Calgary Bay.
"There are plenty of cases you can give to the others, but on the other hand we have got our soft ground which is a benefit and he's proved himself over a longer distance," Lewis continued.
"What Paul Nicholls thought, and I agree, is that with the testing ground and the uphill finish at Sandown his stamina might just come in handy.
"I think there'll be plenty of pace on which will suit us and if he came in the first two I'll be thinking I've got another nice horse again. It will be nice to be going down there with all the anticipation, which I haven't had for a long time.
"Paul is very happy with the way things are and we go with a decent each-way chance. Anything after that will be a bonus."
Chomba Womba looks sure to run a huge race in the partybets.com Anne Boleyn Mares Only Hurdle after making a rip-roaring start for new connections at Kempton in November. She jumped for fun before being eased right down to win easily.
Mage D'Estruval also has the look of a winner in the Evening Post Handicap at Chepstow.
Henry Daly's charge ran well when second on his seasonal reappearance last month and has plenty of scope for further improvement this term.
Jack Sullivan was a little in and out on the grass last term but should be in a different league in the Hotel Coming To Lingfield Park Conditions Stakes at the Surrey track, while Hit The Roof can take Kempton's digibet Maiden Stakes.
n Fergal Lynch suffered a near miss on his return to the saddle at Wolverhampton last night as Harry Up finished runner-up in the And They're Off To Pontin's Claiming Stakes.
The jockey was suspended from riding in July 2006 pending the outcome of legal proceedings after charges were brought against him by City Of London Police.
The high-profile race-fixing trial at the Old Bailey collapsed last month when Lynch and five others, including Kieren Fallon, were acquitted by the jury on the directions of Mr Justice Forbes, who ruled there was no case to answer.
Lynch successfully reapplied for his licence and set out to make all on the first of his two rides on the card but the Kevin Ryan-trained seven-year-old Harry Up, sent off the red-hot 30-100 favourite, was run out of it in the closing stages by Compton Classic, who scored by a length and a quarter.
Afsoun could be given a chance to redeem himself in the bonusprint.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock later this month. Trainer Nicky Henderson is mulling a run in the January 19th event after the six-year-old's disappointing show when only fourth at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.
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