SINGULAR QUEST had to settle for second when last seen but can go one place better in the coral.co.uk Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Maiden Stakes at Lingfield.

He ran very green on his racecourse bow at Lingfield last November but seemed a little sharper for the experience when running in a similar event to this over course and distance earlier in the month.

Ralph Beckett's charge was not in a great position when the race began in earnest and his late flourish proved half a length short of what was required.

The winner has since gone in again so connections will surely be disappointed if Singular Quest cannot shed his maiden tag.

Alan Bailey appears to be getting more of a handle on Vivat Rex now and he can strike gold at the fourth attempt in the Download The Coral App Handicap at Wolverhampton.

The four-year-old hails from the family of Classic winners Generous and Imagine but after landing a 12-furlong maiden for Aidan O'Brien last September, he subsequently finished last in a Listed heat and was shipped off to the autumn sales.

Bailey snapped up the son of Fastnet Rock for 17,000 guineas and promptly turned him out in Listed company at Kempton, where he failed to make any impact at all behind Grendisar.

Dropped back to handicaps, Vivat Rex turned in another lacklustre effort over 12 furlongs forcing Bailey to go back to the drawing board and down in trip for his most recent engagement.

The extended nine furlongs certainly seemed much more up Vivat Rex's street as he set out to make all in a first-time visor and only surrendered his lead inside the final furlong, eventually having to settle for third, a length and three-quarters in arrears.

Vivat Rex looked much happier with his lot that day and now on a mark of 81 he appears to be in a useful position with improvement more than likely to come.

At the other end of the scale, Monsieur Chevalier has few secrets any more but remains in excellent heart ahead of the Bet In Play At Coral Claiming Stakes.

Winner of the Molecomb in his juvenile days, the now eight-year-old has been around the block a few times but seems to have rekindled his enthusiasm since joining Jamie Osborne late last year.

A winner first time out for the Lambourn handler at this track, Monsieur Chevalier then followed up with another victory at Kempton before coming unstuck on the Fibresand at Southwell.

He came up slightly short on the surface, finishing third at the start of the month when appearing to have plenty in his favour.

However, a return to Tapeta should be to his liking and he is not one to desert yet.

Definitly Red could stake a late Cheltenham Festival claim in the European Breeders' Fund "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Catterick.

He showed some excellent bumper form for Steve Gollings last year, beating wide-margin Lanzarote Hurdle winner Tea For Two at Newbury in one of two prep runs before the Champion Bumper.

The six-year-old fell a bit short in seventh on the big day but after winning a Listed bumper on his return this term, he looked set for good things over hurdles.

However, Definitly Red was out of luck at the first attempt when second in a fair event at Newcastle, when the style of the race of did not help his cause at all, with a steady early pace turning into a sprint for home.

Definitly Red was subsequently transferred to the care of Brian Ellison and he made a successful start for his new handler at this track on New Year's Day and while that was not the most impressive of performances, it should certainly set him on the right track.

Argent Knight has hit the bar a couple of times now but can enjoy his moment in the spotlight in the Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old joined Donald McCain's team after his 43,000 guineas sale at Tattersall in autumn and he made a reasonable start with a second place at this track last December.

Sent back to the North Yorkshire venue earlier this month, Argent Knight again had to be content with second as Hainan proved three-quarters of a length too good, although Argent Knight was giving away all but a stone.

The Sir Percy gelding clearly has some ability over hurdles and should not be long in getting his head in front.

Sail By The Sea is the pick in the Abergavenny Hotel Novices' Chase at Chepstow after a reasonable first effort over fences.

Returning from nearly 280 days off the track, David Pipe's charge found the more experienced pair of Grumeti and Chris Pea Green a bit too sharp, despite being in receipt of a healthy weight advantage.

He was pretty well fancied that day and was sent off favourite, but those who keep the faith can recoup their losses.

SELECTIONS:

CATTERICK: 1.10 Whichwaytobougie, 1.40 Frederic, 2.10 Moonlight Maggie, 2.45 Definitly Red, 3.20 Argent Knight, 3.55 Russborough, 4.25 Copt Hill.

CHEPSTOW: 1.20 Becauseshesaidso, 1.50 Sail By The Sea, 2.20 Mackerye End, 2.55 Come On Annie, 3.30 Hughesie, 4.05 Take The Mick, 4.35 Lawless Island.

DUNDALK: 5.35 Viaduct Joey, 6.05 Rigid Rock, 6.35 Indian Landing, 7.05 Lady Saphira, 7.35 Showcard, 8.05 Larghetto, 8.35 Headlong, 9.05 Victor's Beach.

LINGFIELD: 1.00 New Leyf, 1.30 Tactical Strike, 2.00 Singular Quest, 2.35 Waterloo Dock, 3.10 Offshore, 3.45 Vejovis, 4.15 Automotive.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.45 Sarlat, 5.15 Monsieur Chevalier, 5.45 VIVAT REX (NAP), 6.15 Light Wave, 6.45 Tango Sky, 7.15 Arctic Lynx.

DOUBLE: Vivat Rex and Monsieur Chevalier.