KING FINGAL can maintain a sharp ascent by collecting his division of the skybet.com Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

The six-year-old is held in quite a bit of regard by his colourful connections and has certainly made pleasing progress over hurdles.

His success at Musselburgh neatly illustrated the fact – although critics may suggest he was fortunate as the smooth-travelling Aikman crashed out at the second-last.

King Fingal would still have made a mighty fist of things, even if that one had stayed on his feet, and still deserves fulsome praise.

John Quinn’s six-year-old is unlikely to get much further than two miles but should have conditions loaded in his favour in South Yorkshire.

There should also be a great deal more left to come from Franklino, who vies for glory in the skysports.com/Racing Juvenile Hurdle.

Although fervent Cheltenham chatter has proven some way off the mark, Alan King’s French-bred did well enough behind the upwardly mobile Local Hero over course and distance in mid January.

With this in mind, the bold-galloping four-year-old looks to have been found a good opportunity in which to get off the mark over hurdles.

Jack The Gent, a huge beast from George Moore’s yard, can do the business in the Sheffield Insulations EBF ‘‘National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle.

The seven-year-old belied big odds when scoring over this course and distance on January 12 and has gone up 25lb in the handicap as a result.

That may make things very tricky for later in the year, so Moore will be keen to strike again in novice company.

Either way, he should make a smashing chaser next season.

Overlaw, meanwhile, has a fine chance in the chancelloroftheformchecker.

co.uk Champion Jockey of Fontwell Handicap Chase at the Sussex venue.

Chjimes is a leading fancy to claim a 10th course success in the 10 per cent Forecast Bonus At bluesq.com Handicap at Lingfield.

Conor Dore’s seven-year-old is a revelation at the Surrey venue and should be a major player in this six-furlong assignment.

Although this textbook holdup performer consistently requires quite a bit of luck in running, there is much confidence to be derived from recent efforts.

Chjimes needs things to fall right and invariably encounters trouble in running – as evidenced by his fifth here earlier this month – but is clearly not out of the equation from a handicapping point of view.

Since winning here in December, the son of Fath has shaped honourably and competes off the same mark at which he was successful over course and distance last May.

With all of his rivals either out of form or badly exposed, Chjimes could not wish for a better opportunity in which to strengthen his laudable course record.

Bel Cantor is also respected in the Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap at Dunstall Park.

Bill Ratcliffe’s charge looked in fine fettle when finishing second over six furlongs at Southwell and will not be put off his stride by this small drop in distance.

Recent course-and-distance winner Treacle Tart has every chance of following up in the 10% Forecast Bonus At bluesq.com Handicap.

The six-year-old mare was formerly useful in bumpers and is progressing nicely under Flat rules with two wins from five starts.

Her last victory was a tight one but she was finishing to really good effect and left the impression she has a bit more to offer before the handicapper clobbers her.