ANDREW FLINTOFF'S tour of Pakistan has been poor by his own high standards, but at least the England all-rounder still has plenty to look forward with his horse and namesake at Leicester.

Trained by Richard Guest, Flintoff (3.30), who is jointly owned by Flintoff and yard sponsor Paul Beck, lines up in the Birch Handicap Hurdle with every chance of completing a magnificent four-timer.

Having reeled off an impressive hat-trick during the spring, Guest gave the progressive four-year-old a well-deserved summer holiday at grass in order to strengthen up for his winter campaign.

Of course there's always the danger Flintoff will be a tad short of 100 per cent fitness after returning from a 191-day lay-off, however his sheer class might yet bring him through the two-and-a-half-mile test unscathed.

Secret Tender (1.10) makes the long trek from Middleham to Lingfield in the hope of confirming the mid-season promise he showed in August.

Sadly it's been all downhill since then for the John Weymes-trained youngster, but to be fair his last two spins have been on Southwell's unforgiving fibresand surface, which really doesn't suit many individuals.

The ground was pretty quick when Secret Tender made the frame for the one and only time in his career on an earlier visit to Musselburgh, conditions which were almost identical to those he'll encounter on today's polytrack.

It's also important to consider the decision by Weymes to step the gelding up in trip by a couple of furlongs for the Maiden Claiming Stakes, a sensible option intended to bring about further improvement from Secret Tender.

It was definitely a case of heartbreak hotel for John Quinn's Fantasy Defender (3.10), only a coat of paint behind Adobe when beaten by the shortest of short-heads at Wolverhampton on Monday.

The grass isn't being allowed to grow under the Malton-based representative's feet as he turns out again in double quick time for the Biffa Banded Stakes, a lowly contest well within the three-year-olds' compass.

For the nap selection a small punt on Free Style (2.10) might not go amiss in the Lynhurst Press Banded Stakes.

Heidi Sweeting, a hugely underrated handler has her all-weather team firing on all cylinders at present, a factor well worthwhile taking into account when pondering the prospects of Free Style, already a three-time course winner.

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