Thirsk, 16:53 - Back Sixty Plus @ 2/13.00
The excellent James Owen yard provided this column with a winner over jumps on Saturday and I'm hoping we can repeat the dose with one on the flat on Friday afternoon.
Sixty Plus has developed into a useful hurdler since joining Owen from the Clare Hobson yard and he makes his flat handicap debut on just his third start in this sphere, looking potentially very well treated on the pick of his form over timber.
He currently has a BHA hurdles rating of 115, but was rated as high as 124 following a win at Worcester last September, and his three runs so far on the flat so far have clearly been a means to an end in search of an opening mark that can be cashed in on.
Not given at all a hard time when third in a Pontefract maiden on qualifying run last time, the booking of Rossa Ryan suggests it's all systems go as Sixty Plus tackles his first flat handicap from a mark of just 64 with headgear refitted.
Back Sixty Plus in 16:53 Thirsk
York, 17:32 - Back Misunderstood E/W @ 11/26.50
The David O'Meara yard has been amongst the winners of late and Misunderstood looks an intriguing runner in the wide-open 7f handicap that opens York's evening card.
On the face of it, Misunderstood hasn't achieved all that much in four starts since joining O'Meara from France, but the trainer has had plenty of success with this sort in the past and this one caught the eye at Doncaster last time under quite considerate handling.
It's worth noting that the selection was a Group 3 winner in his native country as a juvenile and is quickly becoming well treated over here based on that form, his opening mark of 90 having already dropped to the 81 he races off here.
While a wide draw might not be ideal, there should be plenty of pace on and the strong-travelling Misunderstood looks capable of coming with a late rattle.
Back Misunderstood E/W in 17:32 York
Sandown, 18:55 - Back Knightsail @ 13/27.50
There's every chance that this five-runner handicap has at least four in it that could prove better than their current marks, and it certainly looks a race to keep an eye on with the future in mind.
However, if there is to be a significant improver on the day it could well be David Menuisier's Knightsail, who has been allotted a relatively low opening mark in relation to his very smart pedigree.
The son of Camelot is out of dual Group 3 winner, which suggests he can prove much better than a mid-70s rated handicapper in time.
This will be his first outing in handicaps having had the obligatory three starts in maiden/novice company and, while he didn't show a great deal on the latest of those, he was entitled to have needed the run after 178 days away, and he has been gelded since that outing.
That operation alone could bring about significant improvement and Jamie Spencer will presumably have this one covered up before being produced late on, while the fitting of first-time hood should enable him to relax and be smuggled into the race.
Back Knightsail in 18:55 Sandown