TOMASINO'S long trek from Lingdale to Plumpton might not be in vain come the finale of the two-mile coralpoker.com Handicap Hurdle at the picturesque Sussex venue.

The six-year-old carries the charismatic claret and blue colours of owner Peter Savill, who is chairman of board at the course and so perfectly naturally likes to have a runner there whenever possible.

Tomasino, a one-time listed class flat performer for Mark Johnston, is now in the capable hands of Keith Reveley.

Never one to shirk a challenge, Keith's decision to try Savill's six-year-old over the sticks quickly paid dividends when he won a novices' hurdle at Kelso in November.

Although Tomasino has since been beaten, the race in which he finished a staying-on fourth at Newcastle was significantly tougher opponents-wise than the rivals he now faces.

Towcester's low-grade action might not be everyone's cup of tea, but its testing nature generally makes for some thrilling final furlong tussles.

In view of the fact that not many of the 13-strong field going to post in the Wayside Selling Handicap Hurdle can be discounted with any confidence, such a scenario might well be evident when the jockeys ask for full throttle turning for home.

Sheer Guts seems poised to be involved at the death, having run promisingly after a lengthy lay-off at Leicester, but preference is marginally for the game old-timer, Protocol (1.30).

Sue Lamyman's veteran regularly makes the frame in this type of weak affair.

And he showed he was not ready to be retired to grass when plugging on in sterling style to grab fourth spot at Market Rasen 11 days ago.

Wolverhampton-bound Inter Vision (2.40) has in my view got his sights set firmly on a first all-weather circuit success.

After a series of hit-and-miss efforts on turf, it came as no surprise to hear that the chestnut colt has recently been gelded. Having had a short break to recuperate from the operation, Inter Vision made a pleasing comeback when sixth over course and distance at the start of the month.

In the light of the delicate surgery, jockey Paul Hanagan understandably donned his kid gloves that day, not subjecting his mount to hard driving at any stage throughout the contest.

Having established the selection has made a complete recovery, it's on the cards that Hanagan will adopt a far more rigorous approach to division one of the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap, an event Inter Vision is fully entitled to win on the pick of his overall career form.

In the closing Best Bets Handicap, Otago (4.40) has an ideal opportunity to take advantage of his position at the foot of the weights.

Each-way backers of the John Best-trained raider were left totally shellshocked when they failed to collect on the three-year-old at the track last time out.

All seemed hunky-dory when Otago hit the front with less than 200 yards to travel, but in a freakish last-gasp scramble for the money, three horses sailed past the gelding to leave connections in a veritable daze of disbelief.

I can't imagine that lightning will strike twice in the same place, and therefore recommend out-of-pocket punters have another crack at Otago.

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