DESERT RULER is a sporting option in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap at Pontefract's first meeting of the season.

Trained by Jedd O'Keeffe, whose horses ran well at Doncaster at the weekend, he still looks well treated on a mark of 85 after two wins last season.

Having shown promise when sent off at 50-1 on his debut at Ripon last June, he stepped up on that to open his account at Ayr, proving he could handle cut in the ground in the process.

It was at York when he looked above average, though, running on strongly at the finish of a decent nursery. That was over seven furlongs, so he lacks nothing in the stamina department if this becomes a bit of a test.

We can easily put a line through his last outing at York as it was reported he boiled over before the start and was the first beaten, probably suggesting he had had enough for the year.

Starting Desert Ruler back over six furlongs seems logical and while O'Keeffe also runs top weight Candelisa, that one has an inflated rating after going close in a sales race. Norton jockey Tom Eaves takes the reins on today's nap selection.

Karl Burke thinks the world of LORD BEN STACK and he can get his career back on track in the Watch Racing On 3 Devices Handicap.

Nothing much went right for the giant Dylan Thomas gelding last season but he was highly tried, even coming up against Golden Horn in the Dante.

He was only seen once after that, when second in a decent handicap at Haydock, but he could be the type to take a huge step forward now gelded. Dougie Costello has the ride.

FOLLY BERGERE looks sure to be suited for the step up to 10 furlongs in the Breeders Backing Racing "High-Rise" EBF Maiden.

It is unlikely any of this field will be emulating the horse whose name adorns this race by winning the Derby – but James Eustace's filly stayed on strongly to be third in a Newmarket maiden at the end of last season.

That was over seven furlongs but her family is blessed with stamina. Graham Lee is on board today.

Oliver Sherwood looks to have found a good race at Ludlow for HAUT BAGES.

The French import appeared to have something about him on his hurdling debut at Bangor in November but it all went wrong at Fakenham two months ago when he fell at the first.

Haut Bages is probably no star but the opening Roger Griffiths Memorial Novices' Hurdle appears to be cosily within reach.

Championship-chasing Paul Nicholls will be keener than most to keep banging home the winners this spring, with MINELLAHALFCENTURY a solid call in the SIS Handicap Chase at Newton Abbot.