JAMES Fanshawe did not enjoy the best of seasons this summer but he can strike on the all-weather at Wolverhampton today with Royal Encore.

It all started promisingly for Fanshawe as Spacious ran a massive race in the 1000 Guineas, finishing second to Natagora.

She was expected to be the standard-bearer for the yard but, bar a win in a little race at Doncaster, the filly was quite disappointing.

The likes of Sir Gerry and Zidane were consistent enough but Fanshawe will be hoping for a much better time of things next year.

Royal Encore is probably one of the lowest-rated horses in the yard but the four-year-old filly is certainly up to winning a race and the first division of the Hotel & Conferencing At Wolverhampton Handicap looks pretty weak.

Still a maiden after nine starts, she has been second in two of her last three races and both times the winning margin was marginal.

Off a mark of 53 and with Eddie Ahern booked, a big run is expected.

Tim Easterby still keeps making the game pay in summer and in winter.

The dual-purpose trainer is as adept at preparing three-mile chasers as he is five-furlong sprinters.

Ryedane falls into the latter category and must go close in the Ringside Conference Suite Handicap.

The six-year-old has won off marks as high as 73 and won last time out over course and distance off 58.

A 4lb rise is fair enough for that success and he holds his form pretty well in the main.

At Fakenham Nicky Henderson’s Afsoun can make it two from two over fences in the North Norfolk Tourism Fair 26 March Novices’ Chase.

The six-year-old made rather hard work of getting his fencing career off to the perfect start at Warwick but Barry Geraghty never gave up and he ultimately ran out a rather cheeky winner after motoring from the last.

That change of gear is a potent one and is to be expected from a horse not far off the very best over hurdles.

He will be seen to much better effect over further than this extended two miles in time but is an exciting prospect.

Charlie Egerton’s horses are running well and his Freeze The Flame caught the eye finishing fifth in a hot handicap on his return from a long absence.

Beaten only a quarter of a length by Katchit as a juvenile hurdler, if he maintains all that ability he should take a deal of beating in the Holt Beginners’ Chase on his first start over fences.