Royal Shakespeare, third to Harchibald in last year's renewal, is fancied to go two places better in the Grade One Pertemps Fighting Fifth Hurdle over two miles at Newcastle this afternoon.

Steve Gollings' six-year-old ran a blinder for one so inexperienced that day and, although luck was against him for the remainder of the season, he showed what he was capable of at Wincanton this month.

On that occasion, he showed the right attitude to beat Intersky Falcon by a length and a half and, although worse off at the weights this time with that rival, may be capable of more improvement.

His last run over two-and-a-half miles is best ignored as a muddling gallop over that trip at Windsor was never going to see him in his best light. Back over his optimum trip, he is well worth a wager.

Ferdy Murphy could be the man to follow if the course passes an early inspection and he can be on the mark with Supreme Developer in the Pagebet Rehearsal Chase over three miles.

A progressive performer over fences last year, the eight-year-old shaped well from 8lb out of the handicap on his reappearance at Aintree, where he also looked as though he would be well worth a try over this trip.

Murphy can also be on the mark with the in-form Devondale, who goes for the hat-trick, having scored at Hexham and over this course and distance. He's one of very few in-form horses in the Gosforth Decorating And Building Services Handicap Chase.

On a cracking card at Newbury, Inglis Drever can make a bold bid to cement his position at the head of the staying division by taking the Grade 2 Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle over three miles.

Nicky Henderson has his team in tremendous form and he can be on the mark with Afrad in the Stan James Intermediate Hurdle over two miles and with Royal Katidoki in the Sodexho Prestige Novices Handicap Chase over two miles and two furlongs.

The former had been in good form on the Flat before proving disappointing in the Cesarewitch but is one to keep an eye on over timber this term.

Royal Katidoki has reportedly been working well and is interestingly pitched into handicap company for this chase debut.

Paul Nicholls, fresh from three winners at Newbury yesterday, looks to have another likely sort in Natal, who can go close in the cantorspreadfair.com Novices Hurdle over two miles.

At Lingfield, the best bet on a fairly ordinary all-weather card looks to be triple turf mile winner San Antonio in the betdirectpoker.com Handicap over a mile.

Pam Sly has enjoyed a good year and her tough five-year-old showed himself as good on sand as on turf when second to Fromsong on his first run over sprint distances at this course last time.

That form has worked out well, with the winner and third-placed Goodenough Mover going on to win handicaps on their next starts. My selection will also be very well suited by the return to this mile trip.

Jamie Osborne's Bull Market created a favourable impression on his debut and is the strong fancy in Division one of the betdirect.co.uk Maiden Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter.

At Wolvherhampton's evening meeting, True Companion is taken to extend the good recent run of Newmarket trainer Nick Littmoden in the Betdirect Freephone 0800 211 222 Handicap over the extended nine furlongs.

* Newcastle will stage a precautionary inspection at 7.30am to assess the prospects for today's fixture.

The Gosforth Park venue plays host to its biggest jumps meeting of the season with the running of the Pertemps ''Fighting Fifth'' Hurdle, and clerk of the course James Armstrong wants to check conditions are suitable.

''We are forecast to stay above freezing tonight but I have called a precautionary inspection in case we dip below,'' said Armstrong.

''I am very optimistic that the meeting will be fine and we are only forecast rain and sleet.''

Meanwhile, Howard Johnson will rely on Arcalis in the ''Fighting Fifth''.

The County Durham trainer had declared Akilak as well as the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner for the Grade One feature.

But with conditions drying out at Gosforth Park, soft-ground-performer Akilak has been withdrawn.

''Arcalis runs,'' Johnson confirmed. ''It's dried up - it's good to good to firm on the chase course.

''I said that's what I'd do if the ground changed. Tony Dobbin will be on Arcalis now."

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