OLIVER SHERWOOD saw Deputy Dan open his account over fences at the start of the week and will be hoping Puffin Billy can emulate his stablemate at Ascot.

Like Deputy Dan, Puffin Billy was a smart sort over hurdles a couple of seasons ago, winning a Grade Two at Ascot before finishing fifth in the 2013 Supreme Novices' Hurdle behind the likes of Champagne Fever, My Tent Or Yours and Jezki.

Last term was not a good one for the six-year-old, as he disappointed on his only start before having to undergo emergency surgery on his small intestine before Christmas.

Thankfully he made a good recovery and there was nothing wrong with his comeback third on his chasing debut at Exeter last month, with the winner, Dunraven Storm, going on to win at Cheltenham and the runner-up, Far West, second to Deputy Dan at Plumpton on Monday.

Given his problems, Puffin Billy will not have been pushed too hard ahead of his return, so considerable improvement can be expected and he should prove difficult to beat in Ascot's Sodexo Beginners' Chase.

Dream Child can strike for Godolphin in the Coral Handicap at Wolverhampton.

The daughter of Pivotal has acquitted herself well on each of her five starts to date, finishing out of the three only once and that was when a close fourth in a decent handicap on the grass at Newbury late last month.

Her only success to date has come over this course and distance, so she clearly acts well on the surface and she is surely a notch better than her current mark of 80.

It will be disappointing if she is unable to get back to winning ways on her return to Dunstall Park.

The 32Red.com Maiden Auction Stakes, also at Wolverhampton, appears a good opportunity for Cape Cay to open her account at the third attempt.