PETER Chapple-Hyam’s Timeless Dream warrants close consideration in the Virley Channel Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Great Leighs.

After making her debut in a hot Newmarket maiden, connections would not have held out much hope for the future as she trailed in 14th of 17.

However, with her sights lowered at Redcar last time, she showed masses of improvement, finishing a neck second to Mythicism.

That was over six furlongs, the same as this contest, and as Chapple-Hyam has moved to secure the services of Jamie Spencer, a big run is obviously anticipated.

Luca Cumani will not have many runners on the allweather during the winter but those that do turn out warrant very close consideration.

Incarnation looks a typical Cumani improver. A threeyear- old filly who showed a modicum of ability in her first three starts, she made virtually all in her last race at Great Leighs.

She returns for the Potton Island Handicap over one mile and five furlongs.

It is her first attempt at the trip but it is not expected to prove too much of a problem.

Admittedly, her last victory may have been over only ten furlongs but she did race over a mile-and-a-half the time before that and it was not necessarily a lack of stamina that beat her.

Given the fact her confidence will be high and there should be improvement to come, she can keep progressing.

Donald McCain was mystified by the performance of Fabalu at Hexham, even though he was second.

McCain thinks so highly of the six-year-old, who ran a cracker on his debut for the stable at Aintree, that his defeat to Howard Johnson’s Calin Royal left him scratching his head.

But he has urged punters not to give up on the former pointer and he is worth one more chance in the A.J. Glassfibre ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Venetia Williams has kept faith with Sam Thomas and trusts him to ride former smart hurdler Lightning Strike on his first start over fences in the weatherbysshop.

co.uk Beginners’ Chase at Wincanton.

The five-year-old was decent on the level and won a Grade Two over timber, so if he takes to this game he could be special.

Williams has had him entered all over recently but it is interesting she has plumped for this race.

Henry Daly’s Sherbet Lemon looks the pick in the Leicester Juvenile Fillies’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Midlands venue.

Whenever Daly enlists Richard Johnson’s help it is usually a sign that a big run is anticipated and that is the case for this three-year-old.

■ Exotic Dancer holds the key to the weights for next weekend’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup, with plans currently undecided for Jonjo O’Neill’s 2006 winner.

Exotic Dancer followed up his Paddy Power Gold success carrying 11st 4lb two years ago but his succession of fine runs against the likes of Kauto Star means he will be required to carry top-weight of 11st 12lb at Prestbury Park a week on Saturday.

There is quite a leap down to the next in on the list, Jack The Giant, on 11st 1lb, while he is 2lb ahead of the Paul Nicholls-trained pair Big Buck’s and Noland.

This year’s impressive Paddy Power winner and Boylesports’ warm 3-1 favourite, Imperial Commander, is not much further away on 10st 6lb.

Exotic Dancer was only beaten a length by Knowhere in the Old Roan Chase on his first outing of the season, followed by a close third in the Betfair Chase. Barry Simpson, racing manager to the eight-year-old’s owner, Sir Robert Ogden, said: ‘‘We haven’t really made a decision yet. He’s in there and also has the Peterborough Chase as an option.

‘‘The races are two days apart and I’ll have to have a chat with Jonjo about it.’’

■ Paul Blockley has withdrawn his appeal against the British Horseracing Authority’s decision to disqualify him from racing for two-anda- half years.

The Lambourn trainer was banned in October as part of an investigation in connection with the alleged laying of horses to lose in 11 races that took place between March 2004 and December 2005.

Blockley had been allowed to continue sending out runners up to the scheduled time of the appeal on December 15.

After the withdrawal no further entries for horses in his care will be accepted beyond those entered at 10am yesterday morning.