WHISPERING WARRIOR can make it fourth-time lucky this winter by landing the totepool Handicap at Chelmsford.

David Simcock's charge returned from just short of two years off the track at Chelmsford last month and following an initial so-so effort, he has been making strides with every outing.

Following that debut sixth, he finished a creditable third behind Winter Derby hope Our Channel before chasing home the re-opposing Winterlude at Lingfield just over two weeks ago.

Beaten three-quarters of a length when in receipt of 1lb, Whispering Warrior is 4lb better off this time and has every chance of turning that form around and bagging a decent midweek prize.

Nuno Tristan changed hands for 45,000 guineas at the end of the last Flat campaign and he has already paid back a small slice of that with victory on his debut for Richard Fahey at Wolverhampton last month.

Twice a winner for William Jarvis, the four-year-old appeared to win with a fair bit in hand in what was a decent event at Dunstall Park.

He looked capable of much more on that occasion, a fact which did not escape the attention of the handicapper and he lines up off 87 here, which represents a 6lb rise.

However, Nuno Tristan is far from exposed and remains the one to be on in the totepool Betting On All UK Racing Handicap.

The Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle provides the Listed feature at Huntingdon and Premier Bond is taken to spearhead a fruitful day for Nicky Henderson in this contest.

The six-year-old won one of his three bumper starts last term but found stablemate O O Seven a touch too good on his hurdles bow, although that one has subsequently boosted the form on more than one occasion.

Premier Bond righted that statistic at Newbury next time out, seeing off William H Bonney in fine style in December, even allowing for a terrible blunder at the third-last which would have ended the run of a lesser beast.

Henderson's charge battled back over an extended two miles and eventually triumphed by upwards of four lengths, suggesting in the process that a step up in trip would not go amiss.

He tackles an extra three and a bit furlongs, which should suit, and he can underline his claims as a lively outsider for the Neptune at Cheltenham.

Henderson also fields Different Gravey in the Brampton Handicap Hurdle and this one can defy top weight despite returning from a lengthy lay off.

The six-year-old actually won the Sidney Banks last term before going on to an eight-length success at Ayr's Scottish National meeting, prompting Henderson to pinpoint him as a chasing prospect for this term.

While he is entered in the JLT Novices' Chase at the Festival, it remains to be seen whether Different Gravey will make the switch this late in the campaign, but nevertheless this event provides an excellent starting point.

Henderson should also be among the winners at Doncaster with Volnay De Thaix aiming to book his JLT ticket in the Larkshill Engineering Novices' Chase.

He looked useful when winning on Town Moor back in December but he could not follow up when switched to Grade Two company at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, trailing home in fourth behind Seeyouatmidnight.

However, that was a particularly strong heat, with runner-up Blaklion winning the Towton at Wetherby last week, so perhaps Volnay De Thaix will appreciate what looks on paper a less competitive task.

There will likely be long faces in the Alan King yard if Winter Escape does not win the eventmasters.co.uk Novices' Hurdle following a winning debut at Doncaster in December.