Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson, who is aiming to run Roman Ark at the Cheltenham Festival in under two weeks time, can continue his winning run with Polar Gunner at Market Rasen tomorrow.

Winner of three of his last five starts, Polar Gunner bids to follow-up in the Mary Giles Handicap Chase over an extended two miles.

The eight-year-old scored by nine lengths on his latest outing after making virtually all of the running over a similar distance to which he tackles tomorrow.

Clearly in excellent heart, Polar Gunner can bring a smile to the face of Jefferson, who has Roman Ark in two big novice hurdles at Cheltenham and will finalise his plan of attack nearer the time.

Fishki's Lad is awarded the nap vote in the Rase Veterinary Centre Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

Edwin Tuer's gelding returned from a lengthy absence to score in style at the last meeting here, underlining his well-being in the process.

Often, horses which return and run well after a lengthy absence can flop next time, a situation referred to as the 'bounce factor', but Fishki's Lad has had a month to get over his earlier exertions and is strongly fancied to oblige again.

Flaming Heck, trained at Tayside in northern Scotland, travels a long way to contest the L & H Simply The Best Racecourse Photography Handicap Chase and is taken to make his journey worthwhile, provided his jumping holds up when the chips are down.

Lucy Normile's gelding has been running well lately, but let himself down in the jumping department at Ayr last time when bidding to follow-up a Newcastle win. It is to be hoped he fences with more fluency tomorrow.

David Easterby, son of Mick, has a decent team of point-to-pointers and hunter chases under his care at Sheriff Hutton and Kings Boy (4.25) can be another winner for him and rider Tom Greenall.

Nicky Richards holds Jazz d'Estruval in the highest regard and, unbeaten in two starts this season, the eight-year-old is fancied to complete a hat-trick in the Cash Converters Lincoln Novices' Chase.

At Kempton, Batswing can fly home in front in the Kempton For Weddings Handicap Hurdle.

Previously trained at Norton by Brian Ellison, for whom he did very well, Batswing is now with Gary Moore at Brighton and was a winner at Plumpton on his latest start in early January over fences. He can adapt successfully to the smaller obstacles here.

Alan King has a powerful team heading to the Cheltenham Festival, headed by Crystal d'Ainay and the unbeaten Penzance.

The Barbury Castle trainer has his horses in good form and can click tomorrow with the potentially useful Daryal (2.00) and the well-regarded newcomer Pearly Star (5.15).

Today's Doncaster meeting passed an early morning inspection.

Updated: 08:49 Saturday, March 05, 2005