ASCOT DAY stepped up on two placed efforts to win last time out and he can keep up the good work with another victory in the 32Red.com Handicap at Lingfield.

David Simcock's runner is taking a big leap up the ladder as he makes his handicap bow in this class two event, although the ease of his maiden win suggests there is plenty more in reserve for a heat such as this.

Fourth at Newcastle on his debut last October, he was a bit unlucky that day as his rider had to take evasive action when things got a bit tight in the finish and he probably would have been second but for that bit of trouble in-running.

Next time out he had to settle for second at Chelmsford as he was a bit keen through the early stages and mapped an outside course, which possibly cost him victory as he was beaten less than a length at the line.

It was a case of third-time lucky when sent to Southwell at the start of January, with Ascot Day making no mistake as he powered home by just under three lengths without ever really having to move into top gear.

That might not have been the strongest race but Ascot Day won well enough and a starting mark of 82 certainly gives Simcock something to work with as Jamie Spencer takes the reins on today's nap selection.

DUTCH GOLDEN AGE was a winner at Kempton nearly two weeks ago and he can add to his tally in the opening Sun Bets-sponsored handicap under George Baker.

The five-year-old has shown his best at the Sunbury venue so far, winning three times there and once at Chelmsford.

Dutch Golden Age likes nothing better than to make his pace, so if he can get a flying start again here he will be hard to pass, even with his 5lb rise in the ratings.

Simcock should also be on the mark with GLEAMING GIRL when Aaron Jones rides in the 32Red/EBF Stallions Breeding Fillies' Handicap at Kempton's evening meeting.

With two wins at Kempton already in the bag, Gleaming Girl obviously goes well enough at this track – but she showed she also likes a trip to Wolverhampton when winning there last time out.

Nicely primed from a previous run at Dunstall Park after a bit of a break, Gleaming Girl proved a neck too sharp for Stosur in a race that was not really run to suit.

Raised 2lb for that verdict, Gleaming Girl is now on a career-high mark of 90 but, given her definite upward trajectory, that is not necessarily a negative.

PERSISTENCE hails from the family of Derby winner Sir Percy and is worth supporting on her debut in the 32Red-sponsored fillies' stakes with David Probert on board.

KILCREA VALE made quite a splash on his fencing bow and is the one to be on with Jeremiah McGrath piloting in the Weatherbys Hamilton Graduation Chase at Market Rasen.

A £100,000 purchase back in May 2014, Kilcrea Vale has yet to really justify that kind of price tag, with one win in four hurdles starts hardly setting the world alight.

Yet he was probably always more of a chasing prospect, given he won a point-to-point in Ireland before joining Nicky Henderson – and that impression was confirmed with a 19-length drubbing of Zamdy Man at Ludlow last month.

He won with any amount in hand that day and given Zamdy Man landed a decent novice chase at Hereford last week, the form is working out pretty well.

BRANDON HILL showed plenty of guts to win last time and a similar attitude should yield equally as positive results in the Betfred "Treble Odds On All Lucky 15's" Handicap Chase at Newbury.

The nine-year-old will be having just his third start over fences here but showed he is learning with every outing when stepping on from his initial sixth to win at Warwick last month.

Brandon Hill was shouldering top weight that day but turned in a fine round of jumping, bar one mistake, to have his rivals in trouble some way out before just holding on at the line.

It would be fair to expect Brandon Hill to progress again for that experience and he can shrug off a 7lb rise with victory under Noel Fehily here.

FINAL CHOICE, ridden by Richard Johnson, is the pick in the opening Betfred "Supports Jack Berry House" Juvenile Hurdle.

He impressed when winning by eight lengths at this track on New Year's Eve and can stake his Cheltenham claim with another victory in this event.