RAMBLING Minster can defy his advancing at years at Catterick as he tackles the Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase.

Now aged 13, Keith Reveleys charge ran a remarkable race to finish second over hurdles at Kelso on his seasonal bow last November.

His opportunities have evidently been a little limited since due to the weather, but this admirable runner looks to hold strong claims here despite top weight.

Minella Stars changed hands for £135,000 back in April and he can start to repay a fraction of that cost at Hereford.

A dual point-to-point victor in Ireland, he starts his career in the Georgian Mountain Maiden Hurdle and Paul Nicholls looks to have found him a winning opportunity.

Dubai Hills will not be much of a price as turns he out at Southwell again, but few will be willing to take on Bryan Smarts all-weather revelation.

The five-year-old is going for a fourth straight triumph in the Dine In The Pantry Handicap, winning that trio of events by a total of 24 lengths.

He kicked off his spree with a 13-length drubbing of The Lock Master just before Christmas before following up with a similarly clear-cut success over the same horse earlier this month.

Dubai Hills was also firmly on top at the track just four days ago and even though he will have to shoulder a double penalty here, he is still going to take some stopping as Smart is obviously keen to capitalise on his good form before he is reassessed.

Bentley looked a bit unfortunate to run up against a progressive rival last time but compensation awaits back at Southwell.

The seven-year-old has been a victim of his own consistency in some ways and he will have to contend with a further 2lb rise in the 10% Forecast Bonus At bluesq.com Handicap.

However, he has certainly been firing on all cylinders for Brian Baugh, making the frame on each of his last six starts.

Victorious at Wolverhampton at the beginning of December, he has risen from a mark of 52 to his current rating of 66, but he has answered every question with a little bit more.

Although there were no excuses for his two-and-a-quarter- length defeat to Powerful Presence, with the winner just looking a superior horse at the weights, Bentley deserves another chance and can go well again.