FAST-IMPROVING Whistling Dixie (2.10) is hard to ignore in the opening two-mile Showcase Handicap Hurdle at Kempton this afternoon.

Mary Reveley's southern hoodoo has been well and truly smashed this season by Function Dream's successive wins in high-profile events at Ascot and Newbury.

And Whistling Dixie looks all set to continue the trend by bringing the first prize for the £15,000 event back to the North-East.

The Peter Savill-owned hurdler has been in terrific form of late, notching three wins at Musselburgh, a course not dissimilar to Kempton, which is by nature a predominately tight right-handed track.

In the following Compare Odds Handicap Chase Racing North ten-to-follow pick Korakor ((2.40) attempts to put behind him a miserable trot.

In fact such has been the level of disappointment he has left trainer Tim Easterby to join Ian Williams.

It's amazing how such changes of scenery can occasionally transform an individual's fortunes, and there's certainly no doubting that the ex-French gelding has stacks of ability once he decides to put his best foot forward.

The £20,000 Gerrard Novices' Hurdle has not surprisingly attracted some pretty decent young horses, notably a one-time fancy for last year's Epsom Derby, Going Global (3.10).

It is impossible to say how well he is going to look over hurdles, but trainer Gary Moore's decision to pitch him in at the deep end in preference to a number of other far easier options, suggests Going Global has been sparkling on the home gallops.

The signs are very positive for Teaatral's (3.40) bid to collect the extended £22,000 three-mile Rendlesham Hurdle for the second year in succession.

He'll certainly be many punters' idea of the winner following an awesome display in the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month when he accounted for the high-class pair Bounce Back and Geos.

Boggy ground at Warwick promises to test the mettle of the seven runners involved in the George Coney Handicap Chase over three-miles-and-five-furlongs.

Zaggy Lane and Master Of Illusion both enjoy extreme distances with the latter just getting the vote on the strength of his overall consistency.

Not too many budding superstars in the opening Maiden Apprentice Handicap at Southwell. Nevertheless one of the 12 runners is going to break their duck and Colombe d'Or (2.20) is a leading contender on the back of three promising efforts in better company at the course.

Michael Chapman's four-year-old may have most to fear from Slip Killick, who despite attracting massive market support when carrying the nap vote at Wolverhampton last week, could do no better than finish ninth.

She is surely a lot better than that and might well be worth putting in a reverse forecast with the selection.

The drinks will be on Vodka (2.50) provided he obliges in the Samuel Pepys Claiming Stakes, a race there for the taking having suggested his turn was near with an excellent second placing seven days ago.

Silver Socks will go to post a red-hot favourite for the Incredible Shrinking Handicap after three straight wins.

In search of better value a small wager on Wrangel (3.20) is recommended.

Trainer John Llewellyn enjoyed a big-priced double at Wolverhampton yesterday, demonstrating just what cracking form his stable is in at present. Wrangel appears to be a late developing sort, but his victory over hurdles at Fakenham suggests he remains on the upgrade.