Following progressive performers is always a sensible ploy on all-weather surfaces and Heathyards Pride, who fits firmly into that category, takes the eye in the Bet Direct On 0800 329393 Classified Stakes over a mile and a half at Wolverhampton this afternoon.

Reg Hollinshead's gelding showed himself to be an improved performer with wins at Warwick and Pontefract on turf and carried on the winning momentum when successful over this course and distance on his Polytrack debut.

And he looks a fair bit better than the bare form of that slowly-run race at this course as he looked to have plenty to do turning for home but stayed on in determined fashion to beat Field Spark by half a length.

A more strongly-run race will be in his favour and he's sure to give another good account in this modest event and, although Kieren Fallon is now not in the saddle, Fergus Sweeney is a more than able deputy.

Paul Blockley is a trainer to keep a close eye on this winter and his Yashin makes plenty of appeal under Sweeney in the Bet Direct On ITV Page 367 Classified Stakes over the extended mile.

A winner over a mile and a quarter on turf, the three-year-old shaped well despite being given a fair bit to do over seven furlongs on his most recent start at this course last week.

Sir Michael Stoute's newcomer Zarabad and the combination can be supported in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Maiden over seven furlongs. This half-brother to a couple of three-year-old winners is out of a smart sort who won over both this trip and a mile and he's sure to know his job on this racecourse debut.

Greenwich Meantime, who bolted up on his all-weather debut at this course last week, can follow up under a penalty in the Bet Direct On At The Races Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.

Lynda Ramsden's gelding had looked a touch frustrating on turf but got stronger as the race progressed and the extra two furlongs of this contest looks sure to be in his favour.

Colin Tinkler's jumpers have been running well of late and his consistent Dominican Monk is an interesting runner in the European Breeders Fund National Hunt Novices Hurdle over two miles at Ludlow.

Following an easy win at Bangor on his penultimate start, the gelding would almost certainly have prevailed at Sedgefield last time had he not gone badly left at the final flight.

Best Mate's half-brother is one to keep an eye on for the in-form Paul Nicholls, now tried in first-time blinkers in the Moore Scott Handicap Chase over three miles.

At Lingfield Jonjo O'Neill and Tony McCoy looks the combination to follow and they have serious chances with Presentingthecase (1.20), Catchthebun (1.50) and with Sherkin Island in the two-mile handicap chase at 2.20.

Keepers Mead should proved suited by the return to two miles and seven furlongs after a creditable run after a break last time and is fancied to go close in the Anaglypta Handicap Hurdle.

* Andrew Thornton is concerned about Spring Grove running from out of the handicap when he lines up for the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock on Sunday.

With stable star Sir Rembrandt unlikely to run in the Grade Two contest, Robert Alner is set to be represented by the nine-year-old, who started his season off when narrowly defeating Better Days at Cheltenham last month.

However, with the presence of Jonjo O'Neill's classy Keen Leader, Thornton is worried the gelding will not be helped by the weights, given that he has also been penalised for his recent win.

But he believes that he will not mind reverting to three miles for just the third time.

''The problem is that he is going to be out of the handicap because it looks like Keen Leader is going to run.

"With it being a limited handicap, bottom weight will be 10st 4lb and I think he is going to have to carry an extra 7lb on his back,'' he told Racing UK.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.