Luccia can put the finishing touches to her Cheltenham Festival preparations with victory in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter.
Undefeated in three runs, the chestnut will be trying to add a third Listed win to her CV after scoring at the level in a Sandown bumper last spring and a mares' event at Newbury on her return in November.
She was an intended runner in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle before a dirty scope ruled her out, with that entry demonstrating the regard in which she is held by Nicky Henderson.
Luccia must carry a penalty for her Listed verdict taking on geldings here, but nevertheless this race could prove a successful stepping stone to the mares' novice hurdle at the Festival.
Henderson also fields Walking On Air at the Devon track as he tries to get him qualified for Cheltenham in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.
He looked a top prospect at one stage and headed for an Aintree Grade One in the spring off the back of just one hurdles start, although his inexperience told on Merseyside.
Walking On Air has yet to make a mark in two starts this term, but Henderson remains convinced this three-mile trip is within his remit.
Kapga De Lily should appreciate quicker conditions in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Mares' Chase.
She ran with credit when third at Wincanton just over a week ago and can take advantage of the Listed opportunity.
On the all-weather at Southwell, John Ryan's The X O appeals in the It's Time To Turn To talkSPORT Handicap over six furlongs.
Placed in all four starts to date, the Zoffany colt won for the first time at the same track in January, a course-and-distance success that can lead into another under Kevin Stott.
Just A Spark looks promising for Rod Millman in the Scu Fancies Expert Tips By BetUK Restricted Novice Stakes after two defeated efforts so far.
Fourth on debut and then second at Southwell last time, those sound runs lay the foundation for continued improvement back at a track the filly clearly likes.
There is a high-quality card at Navan with two Grade Two races, including the William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase over three miles.
Jonathan Sweeney's Churchstonewarrior has finished runner-up in each of his three chase starts, but those second places have been in competitive races against the likes of The Goffer, winner of a big handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival, and Gaillard Du Mesnil, who was third to the seriously impressive Mighty Potter in a Grade One at the same meeting.
His last outing showed him to be equipped with the necessary stamina for three miles and now down a notch from that Grade One effort, he can end his run of seconds and get off the mark over fences.
American Mike is a clear choice in the Listed I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle, despite an odds-on eclipse when last seen in November.
Much of the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding's best bumper form came behind Facile Vega and his hurdle performances have been solid in their own right, with a slight drop from Grade Three company appearing ideal before a possible Festival run.
Elliott also has a live chance in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle, with Sire Du Berlais looking to return to form for owner JP McManus.
The veteran has been well beaten in all three starts this term and was pulled up at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, although the latter two runs were at Grade One level among stiff competition.
This is a lesser test on paper and comes at a time in the season when the bay tends to begin to hit his stride, with his best form often shown when the end of winter is in sight.
SELECTIONS
EXETER: 2.00 Lac De Constance, 2.30 Off To A Flyer, 3.00 Kapga De Lily, 3.30 LUCCIA (NAP), 4.00 Walking On Air, 4.30 Mister Malarky, 5.00 Arctic Blue.
NAVAN: 1.10 Zeeband, 1.40 Banjaxed, 2.10 American Mike, 2.40 Sire Du Berlais, 3.10 Gold Haven, 3.40 Churchstonewarrior, 4.10 Sweet Will, 4.40 Firefox
SOUTHWELL: 1.50 Red Alert, 2.20 Furnicoe, 2.50 Miss Sligo, 3.20 Just A Spark, 3.50 The X O, 4.20 Easy Equation, 4.50 Kraken Florida.
DOUBLE: Luccia and The X O.
