Middleton-trained horses are out in force at Lingfield, where the pick of the raiders may well prove to be Sam’s Cross (1.20).

Based at Spigot Lodge with Karl Burke, who sends out stacks of winners on the allweather circuit, Sam’s Cross shaped as if returning to form over track and trip last time out.

There were bits and pieces of money for the three-yearold that day, backed down from 33’s to 14-1, each way cash which narrowly failed to cane the bookies.

It transpired to be a right choker for his supporters, who probably would have collected had not Sam’s Cross been caught napping in the stalls.

Rider Darren Williams ideally needs to get his mount out of the gates double-quick this time, a tactic which will help secure the spoils in the Hartfield Handicap.

Karl’s neighbour, Mark Johnston, also has a couple of interesting contenders, starting with the superbly-bred newcomer, Advocacy (2.20).

A son of Japan Cup hero, Singspiel, out of a multiplewinning mare from the States, it has obviously been a rockyroad for this gelding, who is finally making a belated debut.

Without fail Johnston has an annual autumn clear-out, so the very fact that Advocacy wasn’t included in the Kingsley House cull is significant.

Joe Fanning partners both Advocacy, and Jadaara (2.50) in the following EBF Fillies’ Handicap over a mile-and-aquarter.

Jadaara, without a win since August 2007, is another individual likely to have ended up in the sale ring if she was thought to be on the downward slide.

Owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, there’s also her excellent pedigree to consider, because the more races the filly wins, the more she’ll be worth to breed from.

The bare level of her latest Bath fourth probably requires improving upon, however Jadaara does seem to be coming to hand after a lengthy spell in the wilderness.

Ludlow stages the top the National Hunt action of the afternoon, The Randy Bishop (3.00) of particular interest in the Racing Uk Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The BHA are now pretty hot on faintly non-politically correct monikers, though this comically-named guy must have slipped through the net prior to the clampdown.

A former point-to-point scorer, I have no doubt that he would have added to that haul, but for a crashing fall at Towcester seven days ago.

Amazingly The Randy Bishop appears to be none the worse for hitting the deck, a bone-crunching exit when still in cruise gear just two fences from home.

Lee Edwards, the unfortunate jockey to be dumped on the seat of his pants, could do with some glue in that department, which would assist the pair to stay on their feet.

■ The first and last races on the Paddy Power Gold Cup card at Cheltenham have switched places to provide a sterner test for totescoop6 punters.

Saturday’s fare will now kick off with the Grade Two Ryman The Stationer Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (12.50), while the finale is the Racing UK Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (3.45).

Cheltenham communications manager, Andy Clifton, said: ‘‘To help ensure that the totescoop6 races on Saturday provide the most competitive puzzle, given the huge pools rolling over, we have changed the order of running.”