THE promise of some faster ground at Doncaster could be the answer to the prayers of Captains Table (3.55) in the skybet.com Handicap Chase.

As a result of the recent wet weather it's been hock deep at most racecourses, but Doncaster's highly efficient drainage system has ensured that underfoot conditions will be more suitable for those horses requiring a quicker surface.

One such example is Captains Table, who appeared to get stuck in the mud at Newbury last time out. Frank Jordan's chaser had previously run with great credit over course and distance, an important factor when assessing home and away form.

With a maximum-allowed 20 runners going to post for the opening Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle there's bound to be bits and pieces of scrimmaging.

Again the ground is going to have a significant impact on the outcome of the £5,000 contest, fancied to fall to Revelino (1.40).

Sue Wilton's six-year-old is no world-beater, but he does like to hear his hooves rattle, running his best race this year at Bangor in August when finishing a one-length second to Donovan on good to firm ground.

In view of the fact that Donovan has since beaten Crossbow Creek, who went on to scoop the valuable Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, Revelino represents a potentially mouth-watering each-way bet in a race lacking overall strength-in-depth.

Top southern trainers Martin Pipe and Nicky Henderson go head-to-head with a couple of decent young hurdlers, Say What You See and The Market Man, in the 3.20.

The Market Man, successful over ten furlongs in his native New Zealand prior to making a winning debut over timber at Kempton, was then turned over at long odds-on when failing to justify hot favouritism on his only other outing at Hereford.

It was a totally unexpected reverse and there could be more bad news in the pipeline because for my money he'll once again have to play second fiddle, this time to Say What You See.

Pipe's five-year-old was way out of his depth in a 0-135 handicap when unplaced a fortnight ago, but back in this much less testing company, combined with a love of a sound surface, he could conceivably have the edge.

Jockey George Baker has been absolute mustard aboard Wolverhampton-bound Moayed (3.30) so far this winter.

Although Nick Littmoden's versatile gelding is effective at six furlongs, today's extended one-mile trip is his optimum, therefore even with the presence of battle-hardened competitors like Te Quiero, Cardinal Venture, and Compton Bolter, Moayed should still be in pole position where it counts most.

The later Bet Direct Handicap sees Dower House and Master Theo (4.35) in a rematch after the pair finished first and second respectively over course and distance earlier this month.

It was an exciting affair, Dower House swooping late to grab the spoils close home on that occasion after Master Theo had appeared all over the winner two furlongs out.

With the weights now favouring the latter, plus perhaps the adoption of waiting tactics by jockey Richard Quinn, a combination of circumstances might enable Master Theo to get his revenge.