INJURY-plagued Ginger Fox (2.50) is sufficiently fleet-of-foot to reward Mark Pitman's patience by obliging at Leicester today.

Ginger Fox, once rated a heady 136 over hurdles, was forced to miss the whole of last season with leg problems. Now back on track and trying his luck over fences, the nine-year-old didn't do too badly when third to a hotpot of Nicky Henderson's at Plumpton in December.

That race was over two miles on sharp course, whereas this afternoon in the Novices' Handicap Chase he attempts a much longer trip just short of three miles.

Most of Ginger Fox's previous form suggests he will be far better suited by the stiffer test of stamina and his backers have the added bonus of the excellent Timmy Murphy in the saddle.

Exactly why The Brewer (2.20) ran quite so lamentably over course and distance 12 days ago is a complete mystery.

Perhaps he simply had an "off day", something which we're all entitled to now and then. On the plus side it should mean The Brewer is likely go off at attractive odds for the Dove Selling Handicap Hurdle.

A couple of years ago the selection would have wiped the floor with the opposition in such a lowly event and provided he has retained even a modicum of that ability victory is no forlorn hope.

Although Hereford must pass an early morning inspection, rising temperatures are helping to promote a thaw.

If the meeting does get the green light Jim Culloty is scheduled to make a welcome return after a two-month spell on the sidelines with a broken arm.

Culloty, having missed some choice-looking rides, including Best Mate in the King George at Kempton, will be keen to make up lost time beginning with his comeback mount, Umbrella Man (1.30), in division two of the Happy New Year Novices' Hurdle.

Umbrella Man was slightly disappointing when fourth at Sandown, but a reproduction of his second placing to Jakari at Uttoxeter the time before would probably be good enough.

In the closing three-and-a-quarter-mile Classified Hurdle only the strong will survive.

Bak To Bill (4.00), awarded the dreaded squiggle (denotes not one to trust) by Timeform after a couple of mulish performances last term, appears to be a reformed character of late.

And judging by his staying-on second to Osohot at Wincanton, Bak To Bill might be on the brink of shedding his maiden tag at the 21st time of asking.

Having won easily at Southwell, Nod's Nephew (1.10) switches to the far faster polytrack surface at Lingfield.

Don Cantillon's latest recruit thrashed his rivals with a ton in hand and even shouldering a 6lb penalty seems tremendously well-in at the weights for division two of the Bet Direct Apprentices Handicap.

No less than four horses that were successful last time out line up for the mile-and-a-quarter £10,000 Showcase Handicap.

The most recent winner of the quartet was Dazzling Rio (2.40) at Southwell over eight furlongs on Saturday.

Patrick Haslam's Head Lad, Peter Hedley, immediately revealed that today's race was Dazzling Rio's target, a plan which I believe will come to fruition, most especially because the Middleham raider has so little weight to carry.

l Catterick's meeting tomorrow remains threatened by frost, despite a rise in temperature, and the stewards will hold an inspection at 9am this morning.

l Davoski is set to return to action in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday. Owned by Sir Robert Ogden, the Venetia Williams-trained eight-year-old has been off the course since finishing unplaced in last year's race.

Jump racing's leading owner also has Lord York in the £60,000 handicap.