CAPTAIN Dion can get his 2017 campaign off to the best possible start by lifting the Betway Handicap at Wolverhampton.

Kevin Ryan's (pictured) charge was last seen on December 30 when he failed to see out the year in style as he could finish only fourth in a six-furlong heat at Newcastle.

The four-year-old possibly did not thrive on the straight track at Gosforth Park, but still ran with credit to be beaten just a length and a half after trying to make all.

His front-running style had previously been seen to much better effect at Chelmsford, where he dominated from the off and powered home by two lengths.

Captain Dion seemed to enjoy racing round a bend that day and a similar set up here should help his chances of regaining the winning thread.

Prisom went down by just a head last time, but compensation awaits in the sunbets.co.uk Download The App Handicap.

She is clearly no world beater having won just one of her 10 starts to date, but she is in good heart at present and would not have to be too special to win here.

Free Zone has been pretty consistent so far this winter and can keep up the good work in Lingfield's Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Claiming Stakes.

Placed on four of his last five starts, Lee Carter has a good grasp of the eight-year-old's level now and this switch down in company is sure to give him a bit of a boost.

Zain Arion created a 16-1 shock last month and is the one to side with in the 32Red Fillies' Handicap.

Off the track since August, Zain Arion had transferred to John Butler's yard from the care of Charlie Fellowes and promptly made an ideal start for the new handler.

It would be reasonable to expect Zain Arion to benefit from that first run in four months, so a 3lb rise might prove to be quite lenient.

Templier was rated as highly as 80 at one point on the Flat and after making a seamless transition to the hurdles ranks, he must be followed in the Equimark Horseboxes Sport Pro Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Trained by Mark Johnston on the level, Templier won one of his 13 starts, claiming a Musselburgh staying event in August of last year.

Subsequently snapped up for £16,500 at the Doncaster sales last September, Gary Moore gave his new recruit a spin on the all-weather in November before switching his sights to the National Hunt game.

Templier made an instant impression at Plumpton, seeing off older rivals by upwards of eight lengths in what was a fair novices event without really having to hit top gear.

This contest represents another step up the ladder but Templier can rise to the occasion.

O O Seven takes a dip in class for the Equimark Horseboxes. The UK's Premier Horseboxes Limited Novices' Handicap Chase after letting down his supporters at Doncaster last time.

Nicky Henderson's charge looked destined to be a leading player in the novice division when sluicing home by 10 lengths, but he struggled badly when upped to three miles in a Grade Two heat at Doncaster.

Only third on that occasion, it makes abundant sense to drop him back in both distance and quality before regrouping for a spring campaign.

Mick Channon has only a handful of jumps runners but he has shown with the likes of Somersby that he can more than hold his own, and Glen Forsa looks a useful recruit for him this term.

Winner of a bumper at this track on his racecourse bow in November, Glen Forsa looked chock full of promise as he kicked clear a furlong out and breezed home a six-length winner.

Tackling obstacles for the first time in the Equimark Horseboxes All New Racing Collection EBF "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle, Glen Forsa looks an animal of potential.

Fly Home Harry can bring up a hat-trick in the Equimark Horseboxes The Professionals Choice Handicap Chase.

Alan Swinbank's charge has triumphed at Southwell on his last two outings, prevailing by half a length in mid-November before scoring by just a short head at the end of that month.

Off the track since then, Fly Home Harry has been raised 8lb in the ratings but the admirable attitude he showed that day bodes well for him responding to the challenge.

Testify looks a really smart individual who can build on his debut win in the Betfred Novices' Hurdle at Sedgefield.

An eight-length winner at Carlisle in early December, Donald McCain's runner looks a fair bit better than average.

SELECTIONS

HUNTINGDON: 1.20 Barkis, 1.50 Glen Forsa, 2.20 Fly Home Harry, 2.50 Templier, 3.20 O O Seven, 3.50 Peggies Venture.

LINGFIELD: 1.00 Ode To Paris, 1.30 License To Thrill, 2.00 Free Zone, 2.30 Jungle George, 3.00 Zain Arion, 3.30 Nonchalant, 4.00 Pharoh Jake.

SEDGEFIELD: 1.10 Karisma King, 1.40 Testify, 2.10 Copt Hill, 2.40 Mister Don, 3.10 Perseid, 3.40 Timeforben.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.45 Burauq, 6.15 Mr Chuckles, 6.45 Macksville, 7.15 CAPTAIN DION (NAP), 7.45 Maroc, 8.15 Hart Stopper, 8.45 Prisom.

DOUBLE: Captain Dion and Templier.