Doctor Parkes can belie his veteran status by winning the Download The BetVictor App Now Handicap at Kempton.
Stuart Williams’ representative is now an eight-year-old, but the joints are clearly not creaking too alarmingly judged by his recent run over course and distance.
The gelded son of Diktat was unlucky at the Sunbury circuit on December 4 as he twice had to be switched for a clear run.
Once daylight did appear, though, Doctor Parkes galloped powerfully towards the line to finish fourth behind Diamond Charlie, beaten just a length.
Even Williams would accept the sprinter is not one to trust implicitly, but connections have got him well handicapped as he remains on a winnable-looking mark of 82.
Granted more luck in running, this looks an ideal race for Doctor Parkes.
Olivers Mount is a much better horse than he showed at Kempton earlier this month and deserves another shot in the Follow At BetVictorRacing On Twitter Handicap.
Ed Vaughan’s four-year-old was underwhelming at best in a one-mile handicap, in which he finished stone last.
Before that, though, the gelded son of Mount Nelson looked quite accomplished when he defeated Dreaming Again by a neck over the same course and distance.
Assuming something was amiss on his most recent outing, Olivers Mount could be available at a generous price as he steps up in trip to a mile and a quarter.
Vaughan’s aspirant has already posted a few stout efforts over that distance, so a lack of stamina will not be an issue.
Thorpe Bay is a stand-out selection on Southwell’s all-weather card.
Mick Appleby’s sprinter is the definition of a course specialist, having done all of his winning at the Nottinghamshire circuit.
Thorpe Bay geared up for the Daily Price Boosts At Unibet Handicap with an encouraging display at Wolverhampton, where he stayed on gamely for second behind Invincible Ridge in a five-furlong handicap.
Cavite Eta has what it takes to win the Point Home Care Handicap Chase at Catterick on his first start since November 2013.
* Selections -
CATTERICK: 12.10 Danceintothelight, 12.40 Celtic Artisan, 1.10 Cavite Eta, 1.40 Chieftain’s Choice, 2.10 Foot The Bill, 2.40 If In Doubt, 3.10 Master Moon.
KEMPTON: 2.20 Olivers Mount, 2.50 Wedlock, 3.20 DOCTOR PARKES (NAP), 3.50 Strictly The One, 4.20 Bittern, 4.50 Gleneely Girl, 5.20 Litmus.
SOUTHWELL: 12.25 Arabian Flight, 12.55 Artistic Queen, 1.25 King’s Warrior, 1.55 Yorkshire, 2.30 Six Wives, 3.00 Knockamany Bends, 3.30 Thorpe Bay.
DOUBLE: Doctor Parkes and Thorpe Bay.