HAYDOCK needs a rapid thaw to beat today's 8am inspection, but if by some minor miracle the frost comes out of the ground conditions should suit Woody Valentine (2.10).

Woody Valentine showed decent middle-distance form on a soft surface when trained by Mark Johnston, ability he has converted to the jumps arena for his new handler, Venetia Williams.

The four-year-old son of top USA sire Woodman picked up three races over hurdles last season, an excellent start to his National Hunt career, which could yet see him figure prominently at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

Today's betdirect.co.uk Handicap Hurdle is a perfectly achievable target, even though the gelding must shoulder the anchor of top-weight if he's to prevail in the two-mile contest.

Injury has restricted King Barry (1.40) to just a couple of outings under rules to date, but that inexperience didn't stop him accounting for a modest field at Catterick in cosy fashion.

Despite Pauline Robson's six-year-old winging his fences like a gazelle, King Barry has not been harshly treated by the Official Handicapper, who has allotted the selection a lenient mark of 107 for the Draper Novices Handicap Chase.

After completing an exciting Windsor and Fontwell double, the wheels then dropped off Kausse de Thaix (2.40) on a visit to Newbury, where has was supported as if defeat was out of the question.

Much to the chagrin of favourite backers, Oliver Sherwood's raider clouted one fence too many at the Berkshire venue, mistakes which ultimately cost him dear as he lost vital lengths at virtually every obstacle.

Doubtless Sherwood will have indulged in a touch of home schooling for Kausse de Thaix, who is fancied to brush up his jumping and get back on the winning trail in the Last Fling Handicap Chase.

With Taunton also in trouble with the cold snap and needing to pass a 7.30 inspection, once again Lingfield looks the best bet to stage the afternoon action.

The six-furlong Nursery is a particularly fascinating heat, in which Stoneacre Lad (1.00) has a pleasing profile.

The Peter Grayson-trained juvenile dug deep into his reserves of courage to score at Southwell this month.

It was a battling triumph over adversity as he seemed totally unsuited by the slow and holding fibresand.

Stoneacre Lad was far more impressive when romping to a previous four-length Wolverhampton success in November, a victory achieved on the polytrack, the same type of synthetic surface he encounters today.

Crucially Stonecare Lad cracked the course record on that occasion, not to mention landing a significant gamble from 33's to 14-1, stable confidence that strongly suggests the yard think plenty of their fast-improving youngster.

Norma Macauley's horses went through the sort of trough every trainer dreads until about three weeks ago, when her fortunes took a turn for the better.

The virus which was laying her string low has thankfully gone away, potentially enabling St Ivian (3.30) to end a frustrating sequence of placed efforts in the closing footballs pools.com Handicap over seven furlongs