ALDERLUCK has been mentioned as a possible Cheltenham Festival candidate in some quarters and can underline his claims with victory at Folkestone.

The six-year-old won two of his three starts in bumpers and proved three-quarters of a length too good for Finney on his hurdling bow.

The form was given a boost when the runner-up went and hacked up on his next start and there were a few other nice types in behind.

Alderluck will have to take the Ladbrokes Odds On Card – Join Today Novices’ Hurdle if he is to merit a Festival entry but trainer Nick Gifford is not usually one to set impossible tasks.

Inchidaly Rock suffered a surprise defeat when sent off odds-on last time but can make amends in the Deane Veterinary Centre Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

The seven-year-old looked destined for bigger things when beating subsequent Grade Two winner Junior on his hurdling bow but was a bitter disappointment when only second at Chepstow on his latest try.

However, not all Paul Nicholls’ runners were firing at that point in time and given the yard has since returned to usual service, Inchidaly Rock is worth another chance.

Dark Tara was a shock winner at Wolverhampton last week but it would be no surprise to see her follow up under a penalty in Southwell’s Two February Jumps Meetings At Southwell Fillies’ Handicap.

The daughter of Diktat was held in high regard by Richard Fahey as a juvenile and looked to have a big future ahead of her when bolting up in a maiden at York.

The wheels rather came off subsequently but Fahey has kept the faith and she bounced back to form when a 66-1 winner on her latest outing.

She gets into this contest under a 6lb penalty and as she is still well treated on some of her old form, it would be dangerous to write her off.

Echo Dancer was far from disgraced when fifth on his racecourse introduction and merits the utmost respect in the Play Poker williamhill.com Maiden Stakes.

Simon Callaghan’s charge is related to a number of winners and was not unfancied for his first start in public.

Although he failed to get involved at the business end, he was not beaten by far and the booking of Jamie Spencer suggests better is expected.