NONIOS gave himself no chance when finishing last at Wolverhampton before Christmas, but he can make amends in the Betway Handicap back at Dunstall Park.

David Simcock's charge has shown glimpses of promise so far but the fact he has won only one of his nine starts might put some punters off.

However, he is a well-bred individual and his victory over nine and a half furlongs at Wolverhampton back in November shows just what he is capable of on his day.

After suffering a bit of bad luck on a couple of previous runs, Nonios impressed with the comfortable manner of his win, assuming control a furlong out before powering home by three and a quarter lengths in what was a reasonable heat.

He could not follow up on that, as he was far too keen in the opening exchanges and paid for those early endeavours when running out of gas in the final furlong.

Nonios remains on a mark of 84 and while he is clearly no world beater, he should have enough in reserve to claim another course-and-distance verdict.

Simcock should earlier have been on the mark with newcomer OXFORD DON in the 32Red.com Maiden Stakes.

He changed hands for just 25,000 guineas as a yearling and while he has taken some time to get to the track, the fact he is a half-brother to Pattern-class former stablemate Glass Office makes him of interest.

YOU'RE COOL found one too good at Chelmsford at the beginning of the month but it would be no surprise if he could regain the winning thread in the Betway Sprint Handicap.

He seems to relish the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton, as evidenced by his victory at the track in January.

You're Cool remains on a mark of 69, some 5lb short of his very best, so John Balding could still perhaps have a bit to work with.

BYRES ROAD has hit the bar four times already in 2017 but his time can come in the winner.co.uk Beaten By A Length Free Bet Handicap at Chelmsford.

Mark Johnston's charge was up there with every chance at Newcastle before Inaam swooped by in the final strides to edge the win by a neck.

Byres Road remains on an unchanged mark of 81, but he seems perfectly capable of striking gold from this kind of perch.

RIGHT ACTION shed his maiden tag earlier this month and can make an immediate impact in the handicap sphere by winning the winner.co.uk Bet & Watch Handicap.

While he only won a modest maiden event, there looked to be plenty still to come from Richard Fahey's runner.

DESERT QUEEN can add another Listed prize to her CV in the 188Bet Lady Protectress Mares' Chase at Huntingdon.

The nine-year-old was due to visit Kayf Tara following her run at Leicester last month, but those plans appear to be temporarily on hold following what was a hugely impressive success.

Conceding 10lb all round, Desert Queen grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck from the off and kept going all the way to the line to win by ten lengths from Cresswell Breeze.

A couple of those that finished in behind are in the mix again, but given they race off exactly the same terms, there is little to suggest they are capable of turning the form around.

Amanda Perrett's GLARING created a favourable impression first time out and can get back to winning ways in the Six Nations Rugby at 188Bet Novices' Hurdle.

A smart performer on the level in France, he was curiously sent off at 33-1 for his hurdling debut at this track in December but fairly bolted up.

Only fifth in a better race at Kempton over Christmas, he has been given plenty of time to get over that effort and might be up to defying a penalty in what looks a decent little race.

WHITSUNDAYS can oblige for Donald McCain in the Weatherbys General Stud Book Goes Online Chase at Sedgefield.

The eight-year-old has not run since last May, but he made a promising start over fences when finishing third at Market Rasen.

That was a definite step up on a couple of disappointing hurdle runs and he should go well again despite the break.

TODAY'S SELECTIONS

CHELMSFORD: 1.50 Topsoil, 2.20 Moondust, 2.55 Byres Road, 3.30 Right Action, 4.05 Basheer, 4.40 Veena, 5.15 Jazri.

HUNTINGDON: 1.30 Highland Life, 2.00 Glaring, 2.35 Listen To The Man, 3.10 Desert Queen, 3.45 King Of Glory, 4.20 Bite The Biscuit, 4.55 Boagrius.

SEDGEFIELD: 2.10 Strait Run, 2.45 Whitsundays, 3.20 Mr Clarkson, 3.55 Bandol, 4.30 Kauto Riko, 5.05 What A Dream.

THURLES: 1.55 Draycott Place, 2.25 Daisy's Gift, 3.00 Tin Soldier, 3.35 Moroval, 4.10 Sutton Manor, 4.45 King Blue, 5.20 Creation.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.50 Hot Lick, 6.25 Oxford Don, 7.00 Dose, 7.30 Regarde Moi, 8.00 NONIOS (NAP), 8.30 You're Cool.

DOUBLE: Nonios and Desert Queen.