NORTHALLERTON-based permit holder Fred Kirby should not return empty-handed from Southwell on account of Forest Dante's (1.20) excellent claims in the Golf And Racing Handicap Chase.

The giant ten-year-old is an absolute certainty to tower over his rivals in the paddock, such is his imposing stature. And with that handsome physique goes a pretty mean engine, fully capable of putting his rivals to the sword in the extended three-mile contest.

Forest Dante warmed up for today's task with a more-than-adequate effort at the track just under a month ago, finishing with great gusto to go down by an ever-diminishing margin of a length-and-a-quarter to Trusting Tom.

Kenny Johnson's mount is a rather stuffy sort and is bound to have come on a bomb for that run, setting up the strong possibility of a positive outcome for the small yet select Kirby camp.

Sue Smith could do with a tonic after the 30-day ban on one of her best horses, Ardent Scout, was upheld following an appeal against the sentence at Portman Square on Tuesday.

Fortunately, Sue has plenty of strength-in-depth so even though one of her stars has been regrettably sidelined, another, Forum Chris (3.00), is handily waiting in the wings to make his return after a 499-day absence.

Forum Chris, a once useful stayer on the level with Mark Johnston, has proved to be even better over hurdles, remaining unbeaten in three starts to date.

His limbs always were a bit fragile when with Mark, and Sue has done exceptionally well to keep him in one piece. A big powerful individual, open to bags of improvement, Forum Chris may help to put a smile back on Sue's face by picking up the Tote Exacta Showcase Handicap Hurdle.

Having lashed out over £4 million on 27 horses to be trained by Howard Johnson, Newcastle-based ex-software magnate Graham Wylie must now sit back and see if any of his expensive purchases can bear fruit.

Inglis Drever, who cost Graham £110,000 guineas, made a good start by scoring at Aintree, but I'm afraid he might easily be biting off more than he can chew taking on the likes of Self Defense (2.05) in the William Hill Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.

"Self Defense has come on nicely for his recent success at Cheltenham," declared trainer Emma Lavelle, who is clearly confident of a bold show in the £25,000 Esher feature.

Should Inglis Drever fail, at least Howard has one more chance to get on the score-sheet with Scotmail Boy (2.35) in the later Anglo And Friends Handicap Chase.

Scotmail Boy ran a fantastic race when chasing home Dark Room in the Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree last time out. Sandown's fences are equally ferocious, but should hold no fears for Scotmail Lad and his jockey, Graham Lee.

Not many horses can keep plodding on for four miles, but there is always the odd exception and Miners Dance (2.15), who dug deep to collect over a similarly long trip at Huntingdon, is fancied to complete a double in the Devon Marathon Handicap Chase at Exeter.

* Philip Hobbs reiterated yesterday that Flagship Uberalles has it to do when he bids for a fourth success in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown tomorrow.

The nine-year-old faces a stern examination with the likes of Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, Cenkos and Le Roi Miguel all expected to be in opposition.

''It's a massively competitive race and it won't be easy,'' the Minehead trainer told attheraces.

''He's in there with a chance but to be honest the form of Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer from last year would be better than his. The other slight worry with him is that the ground could well be on the quicker side come Saturday.

''It won't prevent him from running but he doesn't produce his best form when it is fast.''

* Joe Tizzard warmed up for a big date with an old friend as he registered a stylish double at Wincanton yesterday.

While trainer Paul Nicholls takes a three-strong raiding party to Sandown for the William Hill Tingle Creek Chase, Tizzard will be heading in the other direction with See More Business as he bids for a fourth success in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow.

Both Nicholls and Tizzard showed that they were in top form as they combined to strike with Wild Knight and Perouse.

Wild Knight benefited from a fine ride as he turned over odds-on favourite Janus du Cochet in the Weatherbys Insurance Novices' Chase.

Tony McCoy's mount had nothing left to give after the second-last, as Tizzard and the 7-2 winner swept past to score by three and a half lengths.

Nicholls was understandably pleased to have claimed the scalp of the well-regarded runner-up.

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