SHADOWS LENGTHEN finished 2009 in ferocious form and is one to stay on the right side of as he makes his first start of the year at Southwell.

The four-year-old proved something of a revelation in November and early December, winning five races in the space of four weeks, including three in seven days.

He progressed from a mark of 52 to win off 77 and is now on 84, but he is a horse that has never been asked for his all and may still have a little something in hand.

Shadows Lengthen evidently has an affinity for Southwell as all but one of his victories came at the Nottinghamshire and it will take a brave man to go against him in the freebets.co.uk Free Bets Handicap.

Ingleby Arch can reverse recent form with Imprimis Tagula and take the glory in the Play Golf At Southwell Golf Club Handicap.

Imprimis Tagula was a ninelength winner when the two clashed at the track last month but the pair will meet on vastly different terms this time.

David Barron’s Ingleby Arch was stepping up to seven furlongs and conceding a stone to Imprimis Tagula on a Fibresand track that was riding unsuitably slow.

Ingleby Arch was being pushed along all the way up the straight that day and was comprehensively outpointed after narrowly failing to strike on his previous start.

The duo drop back to six furlongs this time though, a factor which will certainly be in Ingleby Arch’s favour as he boasts six course-and-distance wins.

Given a short break since his heavy defeat, Ingleby Arch should be revitalised and ready for revenge.

The Polomoche made hard work of winning on his fencing bow but he should be smart enough to double up in Leicester’s Dick Christian Novices’ Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s charge was sent off the 1-4 favourite to do the business at Fakenham last November, but he had to really battle to hold Teddy’s Reflection by three-quarters of a length.

Easy ground probably does not play to his strengths but The Polomoche is the pick of a small field and can shrug off that disadvantage.

Rose Dobbin scored her first winner as a trainer at Market Rasen on Sunday and Colour Clash can make it two in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance ‘‘National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield.

The seven-year-old had one bumper start last term and was not disgraced in finishing third behind Roses and Sonowyouno, both of whom are winners since.

Colour Clash was some 14 lengths adrift but he is entitled to improve for the experience and this looks a nice opportunity.

■ Oh Crick will warm up for the Cheltenham Festival with a run at Doncaster next month following a career-best effort at Ascot.

The seven-year-old made a mockery of the ratings when third to Twist Magic and Petit Robin off level weights in the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase on Saturday.