NORTHERN Dare’s demanding winter season might actually be construed as a positive in the Core Oil And Gas Ltd Handicap at Musselburgh.

Richard Fahey’s sevenyear- old has raced seven times since December, winning once at Lingfield a couple of months ago.

He was also narrowly denied in claiming company on his most recent outing over six furlongs.

Northern Dare was caught a little flat-footed on that occasion, so the decision to revert to the minimum distance appears logical.

Fahey’s sprinter is 12lb lower than when last successful on the grass and has the crucial advantage of being cherry-ripe for this assignment.

A quiet mention must also go to newcomer Art Dzeko, who runs in the Faster Greener Central Taxis EBF Maiden Stakes.

Tim Easterby’s 20,000 euro purchase has been the subject of much fervent gallops chatter this spring and looks to have tons of pace on either side of the family.

Any market move in Scotland should be seized upon.

Bear Dancing, gets the nod in the Hexham Ex Servicemen’s Club Worthingtons Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

Runner-up on his two starts over fences, including at Gosforth Park last time, it will be interesting to see how he fares on this faster ground.

The Flat season may be up and running on the turf, but it is advisable to take a slightly easier punting option beneath the lights at Wolverhampton.

With so many horses still coming to hand, patience is very much the watchword in the early throes of spring.

Volatile results are commonplace in April, with virtually every trainer across the land yet to formalise concrete gameplans.

To that end, the nap vote can be found at Dunstall Park, where Leyte Gulf is a pretty confident selection for the Enjoy The Party Pack Group Offer Handicap.

Five times a winner at Wolves, Chris Bealby’s eightyear- old has to be one of the most genuine all-weather stayers in training.