A good doctor could prove just the tonic for punters at Taunton on Tuesday.
DR T J ECKLEBURG was a Flat winner when trained by David O'Meara and, on his hurdling debut at Newbury in December, was a decent second to Forever William.
The four-year-old, now trained by Olly Murphy, then won readily over two miles at Ludlow last month, beating Angels Landing by four-and-a-quarter lengths, and is now making his first foray into handicap company.
An opening handicap mark of 115 may have underestimated him and he will take all the beating under Aidan Coleman in the two-mile Mike Morgan Electrical Services Supporting Love Musgrove Handicap Hurdle (3.35).
The following race, the Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening 11th March Novices' Handicap Chase (4.10), run over two-and-a-quarter miles, can go to the Colin Tizzard-trained BOLD CONDUCT.
The former point-to-point winner switches back to the larger obstacles after three varying efforts over hurdles.
But he is best judged on his most recent run last month, when third in a novice hurdle at Wincanton over nearly two and three-quarter miles.
The eight-year-old travelled well and was disputing the lead two out only to tire close home and finish third to Unanswered Prayers.
Down in trip on Tuesday to two and a quarter miles, over fences and with a tongue strap added, my selection looks laid out for his chasing debut.
TUESDAY'S SELECTIONS
MARKET RASEN
1.00 SOME DETAIL
1.35 HOMETOWN HERO
2.10 THE CINCINNATI KID
2.45 STORM OF LIGHT
3.20 ANIMAL
3.55 BRING THE ACTION
4.30 SEPTEMBER DAISY
SOUTHWELL
5.00 JEANS MAITE
5.30 KABUTO
6.00 SIR MAXI
6.30 LOVE YOUR WORK
7.00 ROXOFF
7.30 SOPHOSC
8.00 SILVER DOLLAR
TAUNTON
1.15 ITALIAN SPIRIT
1.50 KENDELU
2.25 CHORAL WORK
3.00 SLATE HOUSE
3.35 DR T J ECKLEBURG (NAP)
4.10 BOLD CONDUCT(NB)
4.45 GALLOPADE
