General Mahler can lead by example on a cracking card at Musselburgh.
Brian Ellison's inmate competes in one of the more workaday races at the meeting, the bet365 Handicap Chase, but he should offer pretty good value in his quest to get off the mark over fences.
General Mahler made a really encouraging chasing debut at Market Rasen, when a neck runner-up in a better race than this.
He could not quite replicate that stepped up in distance at Doncaster last month, but a last-fence error did him no favours.
The eight-year-old finished fourth, but he was only beaten four and three-quarter lengths by the useful winner Red Infantry and he clearly got the three-mile trip well enough.
Ellison seemingly feels that way as he goes up another quarter of a mile off the same handicap mark of 113.
This looks a really nice opportunity for him.
The rest of the card really ought to be owned by Nicky Henderson.
We Have A Dream is unlikely to slip up in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial, while stablemate Claimantakinforgan should also get the job done in the Sky Bet Supreme Scottish Trial Novices' Hurdle.
The Henderson-trained Mr Whipped is similarly going places in a hurry and will be a warm order for the Albert Bartlett Scottish Trial Novices' Hurdle.
Taunton's meeting is a little subdued, by comparison, though it might be worth chucking a few bob the way of Exeter runner-up Vocaliser, who runs in the Bathwick Tyres Midsomer Norton Chase.
Day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown is mildly jaw-dropping, with no fewer than four Grade Ones on the card.
One is unlikely to make millions supporting Samcro in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, but he has looked awesome this season and should further strengthen his Cheltenham Festival profile for the Gordon Elliott team.
The Unibet Irish Gold Cup is a really fascinating race, too, with a clutch of big names in need of a pick-me-up before Cheltenham.
Not so Anibale Fly, who was resurgent at Leopardstown over Christmas and will have been trained to the minute by the excellent Tony Martin.
Expect his Cheltenham Gold Cup odds to dramatically shorten if he does what is expected of him in the JP McManus silks.
McManus is also taken to plunder another Grade One on the day with Espoir D'Allen, who puts an unbeaten record on the line in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
It is quite difficult to see anything passing him if his cosy Grade Two triumph over this course and distance over Christmas is factored into the equation.
Willie Mullins and Elliott are well represented in the Flogas Novice Chase, but perhaps Henry de Bromhead can seize the day with Monalee.
It all went wrong on his last start when he fell in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase, but he looked a class act at Punchestown before that.
Redemption can be sweet and satisfying.
Sporting Life suggestions:
LEOPARDSTOWN: 12.40 Lady Buttons, 1.15 Espoir D'Allen, 1.50 Samcro, 2.25 Delta Work, 3.00 Monalee, 3.35 Anibale Fly, 4.10 Jett, 4.40 Relegate.
MUSSELBURGH: 12.50 Cousin Oscar, 1.25 We Have A Dream, 2.00 Claimantakinforgan, 2.35 Mr Whipped, 3.10 Beeves, 3.40 GENERAL MAHLER (NAP), 4.20 Chanceanotherfive.
TAUNTON: 1.05 Grand Sancy, 1.40 It's Obvious, 2.15 Vocaliser, 2.50 Go Long, 3.25 Local Show, 4.00 Scales, 4.30 Tactical Manoeuvre
DOUBLE: General Mahler and Samcro.
