THE Grade Three Close Brothers Handicap Chase (Kempton Park, 3.35) is the big betting event of the day, and with a field of 18 this is going to be very competitive and run at a frenetic pace.

The main factor to consider when assessing the racing at the track will be the drying ground which is likely to be good, at the slowest.

That will certainly suit the in-form market leader CAP DU NORD (nap) who has looked a different horse when held up off a hot pace on good ground.

His performance when winning off a mark of 120 at Newbury when coming from miles off the pace was impressive. And although the third home that day, Mellow Ben, is better off at the weights. This race looks certain to suit the Christian Williams-trained charge with an end to end gallop very likely.

The added plus is that the Welsh yard had a much-needed winner at Chepstow on Thursday and confidence will be high that the eight-year-old can defy his new mark of 139.

Mellow Ben will also relish the quicker conditions and has a nice light weight, while the likes of top weight Black Corton and the lightly raced Southfield Stone should also make their presence felt.

The novice hurdlers also have their day in the sun on this card and TRITONIC should do the business for Alan King in the Adonis Hurdle at 2.15.

Rated as high as 99 on the level, he hosed up on his hurdling debut at Ascot and this even quicker track should play to his strengths. Hurdling newcomer John Locke from the all conquering Skelton yard looks a fascinating rival.

The Grade Two Dovecote Novices Hurdle (3.00) looks a more open contest despite only seven set to go to post.

The likely favourite is ATHOLL STREET, winner of both of his starts with an aggregate win distance of over 20 lengths. Paul Nicholls put him away for two months to steer clear of the winter ground, and he should complete the hat-trick before a shot at the four-year-old championship at Cheltenham.

The two-and-a-half mile handicap chase at 4.10 is also of betting interest and Nicholls could go close to landing a double on the card here with My Way, another good ground specialist.

However, I am not so sure that he can give 8lbs away to NO HIDDEN CHARGES. The selection pulled up last time out, but that was put down to his breathing – following a wind operation and the return to good ground he could be well handicapped here.

The feature race at Newcastle is the Eider Chase (3.15) and the 2019 hero and top weight Crosspark should enjoy the drying ground.

But he may find giving 26lbs to the progressive SALTY BOY (nb) beyond him. He would be an apt winner for David Bridgwater who lost his star chaser The Conditional last week at Newbury.

The selection has shown in four outings this year that the further he races over the better it suits him, and his first run beyond four miles should be right up his street.

The hat-trick seeking Strong Economy (up in grade) and stamina-laden Big River should also play major roles in this stamina-sapping contest.

The following handicap hurdle at 3.50 could see the classy FOREST BIHAN successfully give weight away all round.

He has useful conditional Oakley Brown taking seven pounds off his back which takes his handicap mark down to 136 — that should be enough to see him take care of the lightly raced Hooligan.

The Group Three Winter Derby at Lingfield (2.40) has a small, but select field and course and distance winner Felix should go close here for Marco Botti.

However, the value call against him could well be FOREST OF DEAN trained by John Gosden. This lightly raced five-year-old, only having his 13th career start, ran really well in the Winter Derby Trial Stakes over the course and distance three weeks ago and can step up again on that run to land this valuable prize.

Later on, CARDANO should complete a hat-trick in the 3.10, while IVAQUESTION can make the most of his light weight in the two-mile handicap at 3.43.

The all-weather meeting under the lights at Chelmsford looks very competitive, but course and distance specialist EXCELLENT GEORGE looks an outstanding bet off top weight in the six furlong handicap at 6.30.

The nine-year-old showed that his winning turn was just around the corner when third of sixth behind Spirit of May last month and has a nice sit here in stall three under the seven pound claimer Lorenzo Atzari.

Finally, have a second look at the 14/1 outsider TOUT ET PERMIS in the Grand National Trial, the feature Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse at 2.52.

The selection has been running well of late and can be forgiven his last run in the Thyestes Chase when the really deep ground wouldn’t have suited his style.