PROGRESSIVE Moustique de L'Isle (1.25) should relish the rain-softened turf at Wetherby today.

Moustique de L'Isle powered to an emphatic victory on a similar surface at Towcester in October, but then was undone by a funereal early pace back at the same track on his next outing.

The handsome grey, who looks every inch a fledgling chaser, made a much better fist of things at Catterick 25 days ago, where he held every chance until outgunned from the last flight.

Wetherby's far more galloping type of track will suit the selection compared to Catterick's tight turns, and as a consequence I anticipate a return to the winners' enclosure for the in-form five-year-old.

The presence of the Philip Hobbs-trained Grey Report has frightened off most his rivals in the Sunday Market Novices' Chase, although Provocative (3.10) might still be capable of repelling the west-country raider.

Grey Report would have whipped today's small field rotten if this race was over hurdles, unfortunately he hasn't taken too kindly to the bigger obstacles, mulishly trying to pull himself up at Newbury on his most recent start.

Provocative, on the other hand, has been admirably co-operative, scoring stylishly at Carlisle, prior to being edged out by the useful Vanda's Choice at the same venue in late November.

According to his decent Flat rating, Mr Mischief (4.15) must have a chance of seeing off some far more experienced opponents in then closing Jaguar Antique Fairs Novices' Hurdle.

Patrick Haslam's classy recruit to the National Hunt arena so nearly made a winning debut over the sticks at Perth during the autumn, but the fact that Haslam then opted to give him a long rest after that promising effort suggests he holds the gelding in high regard.

Eric Elliott, headlined by this column to win at Musselburgh last week, obliged with another impressive display of jumping.

Eric wastes no time in attempting a quick-fire follow-up by his stable-star, in with a major shout of taking Huntingdon's three-mile Brampton Novices' Handicap Chase.

It's quite worrying that a stayer of Historg's (3.30) ability just cannot seem to get his act together.

None the less, Ferdy Murphy's one-time Grand National hope could yet make amends in the Hemingford Grey Handicap Chase, an event in which he has to defy top-weight if he is to prevail.

Peter Cundell's stable have not been averse to the odd punt on the all-circuit in the past, so look out for any market plunges concerning Taranaki (4.25) in the lucky last at Lingfield.

Taranaki enjoyed a profitable 2004 campaign notching three victories, including a comprehensive defeat of 15 sprinters in quite a valuable contest at Goodwood's ever-popular May meeting.

His handicap mark suffered as a result, however he's now slipped back to a rating off which he can once again be competitive, plus gave plenty of encouragement when a closing fifth over track and trip last time out.

* Jackem yesterday stunned the Leicester bookies' with 33-1 success for followers of the long shot selection in our daily "Winner Finder" service. This followed hard-on-the-heels Ipledgeallegiance, a 50-1 long shot winner at Catterick earlier this month.

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