Toofeeg can get his year off to the best possible start by recording a first win in the 32Red Handicap at Southwell.
William Haggas’ charge is perhaps not totally straightforward but he is certainly not without ability, either, as evidenced by three placed efforts on his final three outings in 2014.
His first couple of runs yielded little joy, but he showed improved form when touched off by a head at Brighton last October, only to negate that progress with a wayward effort in third at this track the following month.
Toofeeg looked in control with three furlongs to go on that outing, but jinked badly right and threw away any chance of success.
That appeared to be a momentary aberration as he ran true when returned to action at Lingfield last month, merely being beaten by a better rival on the day.
Haggas now switches Toofeeg’s attention to handicap company and with a mark of 69 and a suspicion he is now really finding his level, the Approve gelding merits support in this mile heat.
The Newmarket handler should also hit the mark with Belahodood in the Ladbrokes Maiden Stakes.
The New Approach colt made an extremely belated racecourse debut at Kempton last month, finishing a creditable five-length second to 1-7 favourite Made With Love over a mile.
Clearly he was no match for the winner, but Belahodood showed a fair level of ability and this type of event looks well within his compass before heading down the handicap route.
Eium Mac sprang a 16-1 surprise at this track on New Year’s Day and the decision to make a swift return in the Ladbrokes Mobile Handicap can pay dividends.
Neville Bycroft has opted to turn out under a penalty rather than wait for the handicapper to have his say and despite that extra 6lb, Eium Mac still makes plenty of appeal as a relatively unexposed runner on this Fibresand surface.
A better round of jumping can see Up And Go make his mark in the Bet On Your Mobile At Corbettsports Handicap Chase at Bangor.
The seven-year-old was a useful performer over hurdles but he has not really translated that ability to fences yet, with last season proving pretty disappointing as he failed to strike in four attempts.
Up And Go was last sighted in May when finishing a distant second at Sedgefield after failing to show any real fluency over his fences at any point.
Donald McCain is sure to have put in plenty of hours on the schooling ground in the interim and while Up And Go’s lengthy absence is hardly ideal, he does line up on a mark of 118 which should surely give him a chance considering he is rated nearly 20lb better over hurdles.
Mighty Minnie has a fair bit to live up to as a full sister to Grade One winner Mighty Man and while she is unlikely to reach those heights, she should be good enough in the Bet With Corbettsports Handicap Hurdle.
Tips -
Bangor: 1.10 Poker School, 1.40 Herbert Park, 2.10 Itstimeforapint, 2.40 Mighty Minnie, 3.10 Up And Go, 3.40 Premier Bond.
Sedgefield: 1.00 Ebony Express, 1.30 Syddan Rose, 2.00 Prince Blackthorn, 2.30 Bladoun, 3.00 Basford Ben, 3.30 Sakhee’s City
Southwell: 12.50 Bushel, 1.20 Enzaal, 1.50 TOOFEEG (NAP), 2.20 Best Tamayuz, 2.50 Belahodood, 3.20 Sea Whisper, 3.50 Eium Mac.
Double: Toofeeg and Eium Mac.