TOWN PARKS finally got his head in front last time out so his confidence should be high ahead of the Lycetts Farm And Estate Insurance Brokers Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.

He has made steady progress this term and eventually got his due reward when edging out Beneagles by a short head at Ludlow at the start of last month.

While that was only an average heat, Town Parks showed a likeable attitude and this two-mile-five-furlong trip is right up his street, with Richard Johnson in the saddle.

Sally Alner's French recruit APPLE'S QUEEN has made quite an impact in the point-to-point ranks and can gain a first win under Rules in the 188Bet "Grassroots" Hunters' Chase.

Formerly trained by Emmanuel Clayeux, Apple's Queen showed only limited ability in France but has really hit his stride since moving to Britain, having scored twice, and can keep up the good work here.

G'DAY AUSSIE can bring up a hat-trick in the totepool Betting At betfred.com Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh.

Brian Ellison has clearly been biding his time with this four-year-old, likely hoping to miss the worst of the winter ground given that his two pre-Christmas wins came on good conditions.

An 11-length winner at Fakenham in December, the handicapper has hiked him 12lb, but that might not be enough to stop this progressive individual, with Henry Brooke taking the reins.

PULL THE TRIGGER proved thoroughly disappointing on his debut under Rules last summer but should be given another chance with Alan Johns on board for the opening Hugh James Novices' Hurdle at Ffos Las.

Second on his first attempt in point-to-point company, Pull The Trigger was reasonably well fancied for his bumper bow at Fontwell last August but made no sort of impact and trailed home a distant last of four.

Something must have been amiss that day and, having been given plenty of time to get over that outing by trainer Tim Vaughan, more is expected from Pull The Trigger here.

FIERY SPICE is perhaps a well-named individual and while he does not seem to be totally straightforward, he should be good enough in the closing 32Red Casino Handicap as today's nap selection at Newcastle's evening meeting.

Robert Cowell's charge did not appear to have much about him as he finished last of nine on his racecourse bow at Wolverhampton before Christmas – but he shaped with a little more promise when third at Lingfield next time out.

He still looked a bit green on that occasion as he hung across the track before staying on for minor honours, so it was maybe not a total shock to connections when he put all the pieces together at Southwell.

Sent off a 16-1 shot, Fiery Spice again charted a less than smooth course but proved good enough in what was admittedly a weak maiden affair.

The fact that he only won by a length means the handicapper was limited in terms of Fiery Spice's starting mark and he looks as though he could shape much better than his current point of 62 in time. Luke Morris has the ride.

ART OBSESSION made a pleasing return from a lengthy lay-off at Newcastle on February 1 and he can build on that under Paul Mulrennan in the preceding Betway Handicap.

The six-year-old broke a blood vessel at Catterick last October and trainer Paul Midgley gave him plenty of time to recover from that before pitching him into an apprentice heat at Gosforth Park.

The lack of a run probably told that day but there was no disgrace in finishing third, beaten just a length, and Art Obsession should be fitter for the outing.

CHISWICK BEY can complete a quick course and distance double as Paul Hanagan rides in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap.

The nine-year-old has proved pretty consistent in recent months, eventually landing his due reward when triumphing by three-quarters of a length in mid-February.