CAPEL PATH can hit the ground running with victory in the Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises Handicap at Newbury.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt took three attempts to get off the mark last term, showing notable improvement with each outing before finally getting his head in front at Newcastle last October.

This son of Street Cry was all at sea on his initial outing at Newmarket last August, while he was firmly put in his place when stepped up to a mile at Sandown.

However, he showed the benefit of those runs as he switched back to seven furlongs and quickened away in the manner of a useful horse at Newcastle.

Stoute pitches him in at a reasonable level here and judged on his winning effort last term, he might have a touch in hand of the handicapper with a starting mark of 83.

Green Door gave himself no chance on his seasonal reappearance when taking a keen hold but should have improved for the outing ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

Lining up in a Listed event at Lingfield, Green Door never looked like taking a hand in the finish as he paid for his early exertions and faded into sixth.

However, that run has seen him eased 2lb to a mark of 100 and given that he showed up well in a handicap off a 5lb higher perch last term, it could be dangerous to ignore Green Door.

Ooty Hill made quite an impression when winning a Newmarket maiden last back end and is certainly worth watching in the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes.

Roger Charlton clearly has high hopes for this Dubawi colt as entries in the Dante and Irish Derby suggest that he has shown a fair bit of promise at home.

Ooty Hill scored a stylish success at Headquarters and while the value of the form is open to debate, he looked sure to improve again over the winter and make his mark this term.

Stoneham was a winner for Mick Channon at Wolverhampton last week and can make a swift return pay dividends in the Trant Goodwill Handicap at Bath.

Oscar Rock is on a bit of a roll now and he can lift Listed honours in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase on the opening day of Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting.

His nine-length win in a decent Kelso novice heat last month showed just what he is capable of and while full company presents a new test, his jumping has always been good in the main and can bear this kind of examination.

Spartan Angel ran a fine race to finish third in a competitive mares' heat at Newbury last month and can go a couple of places better given a slightly easier task in the coral.co.uk Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's charge won a minor event at Worcester last June and has failed to strike gold in three subsequent outings, although there was little wrong with her effort behind the Grade One-possible Kalane.

She could not find the necessary extra gear over two miles and five furlongs at Newbury so the step up to three miles here appears a logical move.

Shantou Magic can continue his revival in the SFR Novices' Chase at Fontwell after finally regaining his sparkle with a win last month.

Rocky Rebel is taken to score in the Beaumond House Community Hospice Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Southwell.

SELECTIONS

AYR: 1.25 Different Gravey, 2.00 Bombadero, 2.30 Capard King, 3.05 Oscar Rock, 3.35 Degooch, 4.10 Spartan Angel, 4.45 Looking Well.

BATH: 4.35 Stoneham, 5.10 Frostman, 5.40 British Embassy, 6.10 Musicora, 6.45 Rogues' Gallery, 7.15 Stag Hill, 7.45 Lady Bayside.

DUNDALK: 5.35 Waterloo Bridge, 6.05 Cappadocia, 6.35 Octavia, 7.05 Echoes Of My Mind, 7.35 Ask Miss Byron, 8.05 Azzuri, 8.35 House Limit, 9.05 Captain Carleton.

FONTWELL: 1.10 Dancing Shadow, 1.40 Shantou Magic, 2.10 Very Noble, 2.40 Lysino, 3.15 Sandynow, 3.45 My Silver Cloud, 4.20 Tricky.

NEWBURY: 1.50 Destalink, 2.20 Ring Of Truth, 2.50 Ooty Hill, 3.25 CAPEL PATH (NAP), 3.55 Green Door, 4.30 Saguna, 5.00 Dumbfounded, 5.30 Tidal Moon.

SOUTHWELL: 4.55 Allerton, 5.25 Oscar Fortune, 5.55 Have You Had Yours, 6.25 Barneys Honour, 6.55 Coyaba, 7.25 Rocky Rebel, 7.55 Mustmeetalady.

TIPPERARY: 3.00 Emily Sinico, 3.30 Heist, 4.05 Davinia's Tip, 4.40 The Gatechecker, 5.15 Rossvoss, 5.45 Black Zero, 6.15 Delegate.

DOUBLE: Capel Path and Ooty Hill.