Nord the one for Becher now he goes left-handed

CAP DU NORD tends to jump out to his left and it was no surprise to see him beaten in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton last time, despite being backed into 9-2 joint-favourite.

His fourth placing took his chase record on right-handed tracks to 242943642554 (0-12), compared to 451116351130 (5-12) at left-handed venues. He can can be backed in the Unibet Becher Handicap Chase.

LAKE VIEW LAD, whose record in December stands at 6131131 (4-7), sprang a 16-1 surprise in last year’s Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase. He is down to run at Haydock on Wednesday so back him there if he goes. However, doubts surround that meeting so stick with him if he is rerouted for another crack at the Many Clouds on Saturday.

KING OF THE SOUTH won well at Newcastle last time to take his record on Tapeta to 1122131 (47), with the first two defeats by just a head and half a length. He can defy a 3lb rise in the Betway Handicap at Wolverhampton on Saturday night.

The Venetia Williams-trained BURROWS PARK, a qualifier on this week’s featured system having had wind surgery since pulling up at Warwick in the spring, can make a winning return to action in the amateur jockeys’ handicap chase at Sandown on Friday.

TRANS EXPRESS usually thrives at this time of year and runs especially well on stiff righthanded tracks, only winning at Exeter and Leicester. Sue Gardner’s veteran has form figures of 211111 when running in handicaps during December and can be backed at Leicester on Thursday.

Kevin Philippart de Foy has a seven from 23 record at the first time of writing with horses he takes over from other yards, and backing them blind would have returned a profit of £16.55 to a £1 level stake at starting price. SHOMOUKH, formerly with Richard Fahey, can make a winning start for hi at Lingfield on Wednesday morning.

UNE DE LA SENIERE (above) took time to acclimatise after leaving France, drawing a blank in her first six runs for Fergal O’Brien over a 12-month period. Everything clicked at Leicester at this time last year where she landed a handicap hurdle at 10-1 and she has since added two more wins, both on good ground. It is interesting to see her pitched straight into handicap company under top weight for her chase debut at Southwell on Tuesday where the step back up to 3m should suit. Horses who make successful racecourse debuts on Newcastle’s Tapeta surface often make good bets next time out, with 32 of the 98 qualifiers winning on their second career start for a profit of £18.20 to a £1 level stake at starting price. NAVAL CAPTAIN overcame signs of inexperience to justify 11-4 favouritism in a 6f novice on November 8 despite a tricky draw in stall 2, and could prove hard to beat in the 4.15.

MASKED IDENTITY arrived late to justify strong support at Wolverhampton last Saturday night and can follow up in the mile handicap at Newcastle. The return to a straight track won’t inconvenience him and his patient style will be an asset given the forecast headwind.

Progeny of Sea The Stars do well on the sand at Newcastle, landing 32 of their 97 starts for a profit of £64.22 to a £1 level stake at starting price.

ALPHONSE LE GRANDE will appreciate the switch from Kempton when she contests the mile nursery.