MICHAEL DODSf decision to switch Best Prospect (1.55) from the Flat to jumps should result in a silky-smooth success at Doncaster this afternoon.

Best Prospect, a very useful ten-furlong handicapper on the level, made a most encouraging debut over the sticks when second at Kelso a fortnight ago.

An extremely testing surface is the key as this confirmed softground performer is only completely at one with the world when up to his ears in mud.

Most of us are sick of the wet weather, but for Best Prospect the fact it has been raining cats and dogs is a massive bonus.

The Town Moor card opens up with a two-miler which appears to be a match between the two main protagonists in the betting, Akarem (12.50) and Blue Bajan.

Preference is marginally for Akarem, an ultra-game runnerup to George Moorefs Green Belt at Wetherby in late December.

The pair finished just ahead of Rodrigo Gonzales, who has since franked the form with a battling Kempton victory in which he impressed many neutral observers.

Trainer Karl Burke has every right to dream of potential Cheltenham or Aintree Festival glory, such is the progressive profile of his seven-year-old.

First Akarem must pass todayfs examination, something hefs fancied to do with flying colours prior to frying far bigger fish at either Prestbury Park or Liverpool.

Therefs not a great deal of quality in the Rectangle Novicesf Handicap Chase, which means the older brigade such as Springaway (2.30) may get a look-in.

At nine years of age Springaway should ideally have done with the novicesf stage, although to be fair niggling injury problems have always been his achilles heel.

A 233-day absence is the obvious drawback to investing on the Middleham raider, but if supported in the market the advice is to join in the gamble.

As a first-hand witness I can tell folk visibly winced at the jolting error by Salhood when he clouted the fourth last fence on his latest triumphant visit to the course.

Most horses would have simply stopped in their tracks, but not Salhood, who must have a constitution of iron to survive what was a mother-and-father of mistakes.

Steve Gollings is taking a risk by dropping his charge back a near half-mile in distance, but the testing conditions should negate that particular difficulty.

Following Donald McCainfs stable is no bad thing at present, a positive trend Ballynalty Express (4.10) is poised to uphold in the nightcap.

The form of his Aintree 20-1 third-placing has since proved to be a mighty effort, seeing as the race has subsequently thrown up several winners.

Tom Taaffe proclaimed eeI think wefre backff after Kicking Kingfs superb return in the Normans Grove Chase at Gowran Park.

The 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner made his long-awaited comeback after 759 days on the sidelines with tendon trouble and finished a narrow second to 1-4 favourite Nickname.

There may only have been three runners in the Grade Two event over two miles and a furlong but you could not have wished for a more select little trio.

Along with Kicking Kingfs six wins at the highest level, the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill and Martin Brassilfs multiple-Graded winner Nickname, who won last yearfs Normans Grove at its usual home in Fairyhouse, were in opposition.

As that meeting has had to be abandoned twice in the space of a few days, Gowran stepped into the breach.

Ridden by his usual partner Barry Geraghty, Kicking King set only a steady pace in front in the heavy ground.

After the last, Nickname finally found his stride, swooping past Newmill, and agonisingly, also past Kicking King to win by one and a quarter lengths.