PUNTERS hoping to hit the target at Towcester today could do worse than side with the in-form Red Striker (3.20).

Norman Mason's runners have been excelling themselves lately and it doesn't look like Red Striker intends to be left on the subs bench judging on his recent second to the smart Bindaree at Perth.

Assistant trainer Richard Guest partnered the selection to a magnificent four-timer over hurdles last season and once again he is in the saddle for the expected victory over the bigger obstacles in Merlin Novices' Chase.

The opening Corgi Selling Hurdles at the Northamptonshire track could fall to Ambidextrous (2.20), who has won over both course and distance in the past.

He can readily be forgiven a lousy run at Plumpton last time because the tricky up hill and down dale Sussex track probably didn't suit Richard Ford's raider.

Now back on far more familiar territory, Ambidextrous has the opportunity to make a welcome return to the winners' enclosure.

Improving Brandy Snap (2.50), lining up for the Jewson Novices' Hurdle, has a hat-trick firmly in her sights.

Nicky Henderson's mare is strongly fancied to supplement back-to-back successes at Bangor and Plumpton, prior to having a crack at some better prizes over the coming months.

Although not one to have the week's housekeeping money on, Break The Rules (2.10) has the ability to win the opening Selling Hurdle at Exeter.

Whether he has the inclination is a question only the eight-year-old gelding can answer. However a spin on the level at Chester 47 days previous will have at least blown a few cobwebs away negating his long absence from the National Hunt scene.

Six of the seven contestants in the Dean & Dyball Handicap Chase have won at the course before so will not require a map in order to find their way round.

One of the least exposed horses in the field is Magic Dancer (3.40), a former point-to-pointer who made significant progress over timber last term.

Although relatively inexperienced over fences, Philip Hobbs boldly pitches his young turk up against a bunch of battle-hardened rivals, tactics which could pay handsome dividends.

Those drawn high in sprints at Lingfield hold a sizeable advantage persuading me to go along with Bee King (2.30) in the Berkeley Homes Nursery.

He's been edging nearer a first ever win with a succession of consistent efforts in similar company.

The action switches to the equitrack for the Showcase Handicap and not surprisingly a few regular sand merchants turn out for the £10,000 event.

Puzzlement (3.30) broke off his summer holidays to run a respectable sixth on turf at Yarmouth three weeks ago, teeing him up nicely for this return to his favoured surface.

l Dual Guineas winner Bachir has been retired and will stand at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

Godolphin's colt, a son of Desert Style, will stand at IR£10,000 and joins the likes of In The Wings and Pennekamp. A spokesman for Darley said: ''He will stand at Kildangan and will probably arrive in the next couple of weeks.'' Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Bachir won the French 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas under Frankie Dettori in May.