KEVIN RYAN likes to keep his horses ticking over during the winter, a policy well suited to dual all-weather scorer, Petrichan (4.50).

Ryan won't be revving up his big guns for the turf just yet, so Petrichan's successful exploits provide a welcome boost for stable staff throughout the cold months of January and February.

Petrichan didn't look much cop when tried on grass last year, but having barely clung on to the coat tails of his rivals in 2005, he's now enjoying life at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Such overt improvement is not easy to explain.

It simply seems as if the son of Medicean has benefited from the combination of lesser competition, plus being given a bit of time to strengthen physically.

Currently seeking a three-timer, Petrichan, who switches from Southwell to Wolverhampton for the first time, has an excellent chance of maintaining his winning streak in the Littlewoods Pools Handicap.

Karl Burke is another trainer based in our region with a penchant for plundering the all-weather circuit.

The Master of Spigot Lodge appears to have finally lost patience with his formerly useful sprinter, Million Percent, who takes a massive drop in class to contest the lowly Jackpots Selling Stakes.

To think Million Percent (2.50) once strutted his stuff at the likes of Newmarket, he's slipped a long way down the ladder in order to line up for this two-bit event worth no more than a couple of grand to the winner.

Still, beggars can't be choosers, and if he reproduces anything near the pick of his form then the Middleham raider should put a few quid back in the pockets of some long-suffering supporters.

Ex-Polish stock has made a fair impact on these shores in recent years, but one yet to strike is Lingfield-bound Escobar (4.10).

A winner between six and nine furlongs in his homeland, Pam Townsley's five-year-old has thus far hoovered up odds and sods of place money since leaving the continent to try his luck over here.

Escobar was returning from a seven-month break when well beaten at the course a week ago.

That was a mile-and-a-quarter affair that stretched the selection's suspect stamina beyond breaking point.

Pam sensibly switches the gelding back to seven furlongs, and with a nice "sit" emerging from stall four, he could easily open his UK account under the capable guidance of Dane O'Neill.

According to the official ratings, Plumpton's Chris Poole And George Ennor Novices Celebration Chase looks to concern only de Blanc and Shining Strand (3.00)

Although Shining Strand beat a poor bunch when collecting in decisive style at Southwell, he couldn't have been more impressive and is fancied to follow up.

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