DONALD McCain’s string have hit form with a vengeance in the last week and the Bankhouse handler looks set for another fruitful afternoon at Catterick.

It has been a difficult couple of years for the Cholmondeley-based trainer, with big-race victories proving harder to come by after losing a significant number of horses.

However, he has enjoyed a mini revival in February, with a Carlisle treble last Wednesday followed by a Friday double at Bangor.

McCain, pictured, sends a strong team to North Yorkshire and can get the day off to a successful start with Same Circus ready to secure a deserved victory in the Racing To School Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

The Irish point-to-point graduate made a winning debut under Rules at Hexham last autumn and while a hot race at Newbury on her next start proved a step too far, she has since filled the runner-up spot three times on the bounce.

Same Circus was unfortunate to bump into the very useful Impulsive Star over this course and distance a month ago and this looks a fine opportunity for her to go one better.

Fellow McCain inmate Danceintothelight can enhance his excellent record at the track in the Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap Hurdle.

A veteran of the northern racing scene having previously been trained by Kevin Ryan and Micky Hammond, the ten-year-old has over 100 appearances to his name.

Of his nine career victories, five have been at Catterick and he proved he retains plenty of zest and enthusiasm for the game with a fine front-running success at Musselburgh last month.

A 5lb hike seems fair enough and another bold bid is anticipated.

Minella On Line can get back on the winning trail in the Read Barry Geraghty’s Blog On attheraces.com Chase at Plumpton.

The King’s Theatre gelding has endured a largely disappointing career over fences thus far, but really looked to have got his act together when making a winning reappearance at this venue in November. He looked to have a good chance of following up before unseating Leighton Aspell at Lingfield just over a week later and he has not been seen since.

The fact he was sent off as the favourite to beat Royal Vacation, who has won a Grade One and at Cheltenham since, shows what he might be capable of

Minella On Line does not look badly treated off his current rating of 126 and his trainer Oliver Sherwood has his team in excellent nick at the moment. Kings Walk looks well positioned to claim a second successive course and distance win for Colin Tizzard in the Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.

After running with promise here behind the prolific No Comment just after the turn of the year, Kings Walk carried the colours made famous by Cue Card to a narrow victory a fortnight later.

He begins life in handicap company off what appears a workable mark of 118 and with further improvement likely, he should be hard to beat.

All-weather fare comes from Wolverhampton, where the Betway Handicap is the feature.

The £19,000 contest has attracted eight runners and the one to side with is the Mark Johnston-trained Sennockian Star.

The admirable chestnut gelding has won 13 races - as well as filling the runner-up spot 13 times – and was ultimately well on top at the line at Lingfield last time out.

That victory earned him a rise in the weights to a mark of 90, but he was rated as high as 106 in his pomp and he looks in the mood to add to his tally.

Miss Dusky Diva has taken her game to another level since being stepped up to two miles and can complete a hat-trick in the Betway Marathon Handicap.

SELECTIONS

CATTERICK: 2.10 SAME CIRCUS (NAP), 2.40 Danceintothelight, 3.10 Batavir, 3.40 Ruby Yeats, 4.10 I Just Know, 4.40 Mountain Hawk

PLUMPTON: 2.00 Postbridge, 2.30 Minella On Line, 3.00 Kings Walk, 3.30 Clonusker, 4.00 Wishicould, 4.30 The Game Is A Foot.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 2.20 Sea Dweller, 2.50 Haraka, 3.20 Dutch Uncle, 3.50 Sennockian Star, 4.20 Miss Dusky Diva, 4.50 Swendab, 5.20 Fabulous Flyer, 5.50 Bounty Pursuit.

DOUBLE: Same Circus and Danceintothelight