DISTANT PAST may be on his highest rating since summer 2015 but he can still make his mark in the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap at Southwell.

The six-year-old was rated as high as 94 in his pomp and has recently climbed back up to a perch of 92 after landing a good gamble at Newcastle before Christmas.

Kevin Ryan's charge had turned in a couple of decent efforts prior to that win and finally hit the mark when well supported in a similar event to this at Gosforth Park.

While he was getting plenty of weight from a good yardstick in Gracious John, Distant Past thoroughly appreciated the drop back to five furlongs as he made every post a winning one.

He was unable to employ similar front-running tactics at Chelmsford last time and was caught wide on the bend after trying to take the lead, a move which probably cost him dear as he was only beaten three lengths in fifth.

Distant Past remains on the same mark of 92 and while the Fibresand is an unknown variable, the Pastoral Pursuits gelding has proved pretty versatile in terms of ground on turf and that must be a positive. Joe Doyle rides today's nap selection.

ISHARAH is on a roll at present and can bring up his hat-trick in the following Betway Handicap under Joe Fanning.

The four-year-old appears to have found his stride this winter and has shown he has plenty of range in terms of trip as he has won over both a mile and a half and two miles on his last two outings.

Now on a mark of 87, Isharah looks as though he still has a bit left in the locker and he can continue to thrive.

DREAM FLYER can follow up his recent Musselburgh success with victory in the totepool Medieval Day – Saturday 4th February Handicap Chase at Wetherby.

The 10-year-old made his first start for Keith Dalgleish at the Scottish venue earlier this month and dug deep to make it a perfect start for his new handler with a three-and-a-half-length verdict.

He had looked in trouble at one point but stayed on with real purpose and has subsequently been hiked 7lb in the handicap.

Yet Dream Flyer remains 8lb lower than his career high, so perhaps Dalgleish still has something to work with. Craig Nichol has today's ride.

Paul Nicholls should enjoy a good afternoon at Leicester, with both Tagrita and Romain De Senam primed to strike.

TAGRITA is unbeaten in two outings over fences so far this term and she puts that record on the line in the Charnwood Forest Mares' Chase.

The nine-year-old kicked off the current campaign with a convincing five-length success over The Organist at Huntingdon back in November, shrugging off a minor jumping error to rally in the finish and emerge victorious.

She successfully carried a penalty for that success when winning at Exeter in mid-December, turning in a competent round of jumping to win with the minimum of fuss and a little in hand over what was a bit of a sharp trip for her.

Back up to two and three-quarter miles, Tagrita can make the switch to Listed company in style with Sam Twiston-Davies on board.

ROMAIN DE SENAM can hit the target at the third attempt in the Dick Christian Novices' Chase.

The five-year-old proved pretty useful over hurdles, going down by just a head in the Fred Winter last season, but he has yet to really shine over fences, finding Top Notch too good on his first attempt before failing to strike a meaningful blow at Newbury on New Year's Eve.

Yet he should have learnt plenty for those experiences and can put up a good show here, with Twiston-Davies again taking the reins.

FLY HOME HARRY, piloted by Paul Moloney, can bring up a hat-trick in the SIS 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.