Steed, a horse very much on the upgrade, makes a return journey from North Yorkshire to Southwell tomorrow with an excellent chance of extending his winning sequence to five.

Trained at Hambleton by Kevin Ryan and owned by his wife Jill, Steed has proved to be in unstoppable form since mid-December when he opened his winning account on this course off a modest mark of 57.

He has since won three more races, two at Southwell and one at Wolverhampton and he is now set to race off a mark of 80, courtesy of a double penalty for his latest two wins, the most recent of which was gained by a decisive four lengths.

From a stable in fine form, Steed can bring up the five-timer.

David Barron, based at Maunby, near Thirsk, can also figure on the Southwell scoreboard.

Barron saddles Tsar Bomba in the Blue Square IPhone Handicap, the four-year-old having got off the mark over this course and distance last week when getting the better of the more experienced Colorus.

He turns out again under a 6lb penalty and, with further improvement to come, he is fancied to complete a fast double.

Tomorrow’s nap vote goes to another recent course winner in Almahaza in the Play Roulette At bluesq.com Apprentice Handicap.

The seven-year-old won really well on his latest start, after taking the eye with his excellent condition in the paddock. He is taken to oblige again.

La Estrella is the apple of trainer Don Cantillon’s eye. It’s not so much that the eight-year-old is supremely talented, but he has been very fragile to train and yet continues to bounce back.

He gained his tenth career success on this course last month and he’s back again to double up in the Dine In The Queen Mother Restaurant Claiming Stakes. He promises to take plenty of beating.

The in-form Jack’s Revenge (1.50) and fellow course winner Alpha Tauri (2.20) are also worth noting.

At Wolverhampton’s evening meeting, Kingscroft aims to complete a hat-trick of wins for North Yorkshire trainer Mark Johnston in the Blue Square Handicap over six furlongs.

An improving sprinter, Kingscroft has scored here and at Lingfield on his latest two outings and has looked a horse with a bright future. He has an 8lb higher mark to overcome this time, but it may not be enough to stop him in his tracks.

Johnston also introduces an interesting newcomer at Wolverhampton in the shape of Black Pond in the Ringside Suite Maiden Stakes.

A well-related colt, the three-year-old changed hands as a yearling in the US for $195,000.

If he is to live up his pedigree and purchase price, he will need to be shaping well here.

Recent course winner Polemica (6.00) and No Complaining (8.30) are two others to note.


Racing selections

Southwell
1.50 Jack’s Revenge, 2.20 Alpha Tauri, 2.50 Sirdave, 3.25 La Estrella, 4.00 Tsar Bomba, 4.35 Steed, 5.05 Almahaza (NAP).

Wolverhampton
5.30 Aurora Lights, 6.00 Polemica, 6.30 Better Self, 7.00 Valmina, 7.30 Kingscroft, 8.00 Black Pond, 8.30 No Complaining.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Ffos Las and Kelso.

Today’s meetings: Kempton, Leicester, Lingfield and Musselburgh.