BARBERS Shop ran a mighty race to finish second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance and it would be quite a surprise if he finishes out of the frame at Sandown today.

The six-year-old defied his limited experience against hardened campaigners to finish just under three lengths behind the progressive Imperial Commander.

Previously placed in the Jewson at the Cheltenham Festival, Barbers Shop has all the makings of a classy chaser for trainer Nicky Henderson, who also continues in red-hot form.

The Blue Square Casino Future Stars Chase has drawn a competitive field but Barbers Shop should be the pick of the bunch.

Junior has been around the block a few times already for one so young, but he can put that experience to good use in the Grade Two Winter Novices’ Hurdle.

Although winless since joining Alan King, he has run some fine races, notably when taking third in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival back in March.

He meets a number of horses less exposed in this field but he is certainly more street-wise and that may be the telling factor.

Panjo Bere has won his last two starts with his head in his chest and can bring up the hat-trick in Exeter’s Harry Dutfield Memorial Novices’ Chase.

Kings Destiny has let down favourite-backers on more than one occasion in his short career but can reward those who keep the faith in the first division of the Bet At ladbrokes.com Maiden Stakes at Lingfield.

The Dubai Destination colt was not unfancied for his Nottingham debut and looked a juvenile with a future when finding only impressive winner Mastery too strong.

Michael Jarvis’ charge was then fourth in what looked an even better race at Newbury in October and it has to go down as a slight disappointment that he was beaten at Great Leighs last time.

But there are no questions about his temperament, so it would be folly to write him off in an event of this nature.

Joe Caster won with something to spare at Great Leighs a week ago and could prove well treated under a penalty in the Play Bingo At ladbrokes.

com Nursery Handicap.

The James Eustace inmate has won three times since the start of October and he was not hard pressed to score by a length and a half on his latest outing.

Obviously the handicapper is now beginning to catch up with him, but he is more than capable of securing at least one more win before the turn of the year.

Rag And Bone showed enough on her latest outing to suggest she is ready to get off the mark in the Hotel & Conferencing Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Wolverhampton.

The daughter of Street Cry showed marked improvement on her debut at Kempton to go down by just a length and a quarter at Great Leighs last time.

This drop to seven furlongs should not hinder her progress.

■ Punjabi and Sublimity are among six declared runners for tomorrow’s rearranged WBX.COM ‘‘Fighting Fifth’’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

Nicky Henderson has had the race as a target for last year’s Punchestown Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi for some time and has stated he is keen to support the decision to switch the race.