MUSSELBURGH'S Anderson Strathern Challenge Trophy is a much sought after piece of silverware, but if Night Fighter (2.30) comes out all guns blazing he could turn the race into a procession.

When Night Fighter is on song he combines eye-catching efficiency at his obstacles with a sublime ability to quicken when other legs are beginning to wilt.

Richard Guest's mount has also been admirably consistent this season, making the frame on all bar one of his five outings.

Night Fighter's detractors might point to the fact he hasn't been out for 70 days and may not be race fit, although he has performed well after similarly lengthy absences in the past.

Not too many novices have the class to defy a double-penalty, but Far Pavilions (1.55) could well fall into that category following a brace of massively impressive track and trip victories.

Last time out the David Abell-owned four-year-old put his rivals to the sword with an awesome display, galloping right away from the field in the closing stages to win by the neck end of 20 lengths.

Provided Far Pavilions is in the same rich vein of form, he looks odds-on to complete a well-deserved hat-trick, even though he has to concede lumps of weight all round.

Best bet on a tricky card at Leicester looks to be Roman King (4.25) in the two-mile Oadby Handicap Hurdle.

Roman King was sold out of Paul Nicholls' stable, having won a selling contest at Uttoxeter 11 days ago. Nicholls has already racked up over 100 winners this season, so he won't have lost any sleep over the departure of the eight-year-old gelding.

There are plenty more races to be won with the selection, who despite stepping back up in grade might well prove far too speedy for his mainly moderate opponents.

* Noel Chance yesterday confirmed River City an intended runner in the Tote Top of The North Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final Bonus at Newcastle on Saturday.

The Lambourn trainer said the improving six-year-old, winner of both his starts over timber this winter, would also be given an entry in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Chance is hoping that the ground at Newcastle dries out a bit but says on this season's evidence the gelding should be able to handle testing conditions.

River City upset Martin Pipe's odds-on Aquarius on very soft ground at Newton Abbot.

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