STRONG RUN looks well treated for the in-form Fergal O’Brien in the Grade 2 BetVictor British EBF "National Hunt" Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (3.00) at Newbury.

The daughter of Passing Glance won one of her four starts in bumpers last season before being sent over timber this term. There was plenty of promise in my selection’s obstacles debut in a two-mile novice hurdle for mares in November, when Strong Run came home in third behind Jackie Hobbs.

And, fitted with a tongue strap that has been kept faith with since, she went one better over this afternoon’s trip at Southwell 11 days before Christmas with a three-and-three-quarter-length defeat of A Chara.

Johnny Burke’s mount was outstayed over an additional furlong when second to Coolanna on heavy ground at Wincanton at the end of January.

But this test looks ideal and, with an opening British Horseracing Authority mark of 116 within range, Strong Run is the choice to take the £33,820 first prize back to her trainer’s Gloucestershire yard.

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In the Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper (3.35), DIAMOND STREET is fancied to take his career record to 2-2.

The Dan Skelton-trained son of Diamond Boy went off the 5-2 favourite for his racecourse debut against six rivals in a similar event at Doncaster at the end of January.

And the five-year-old could scarcely have made a more impressive start, galloping to a 10-length beating of Elderflower Tonic. On that evidence, Diamond Street has a very bright future, and he’s fancied to take a step forward to defy a penalty.

Skelton and his brother Harry should also be in business with HELTENHAM in the BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Chase (2.25). Masked Marvel’s son failed to find the target on his first eight outings of the campaign.

But Heltenham came good in the valuable Greatwood Gold Cup over course and distance three weeks ago with a half-length winning margin from Blow Your Wad, who has since run a fine fourth at the Cheltenham Festival.

On the face of it, Heltenham isn’t an easy horse to read, but his record at Newbury is an excellent one - from six starts over course and distance, he has collected four times and has another silver medal into the bargain.

The opening Castle Windows Newbury Anniversary Novices' Hurdle (1.15) looks the right opportunity for KOCKTAIL BLEU to double his career tally, while THEWOODCORNER appeals in the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (1.50).

At Kelso, OUR PEGGY is the value call against warm order Khrisma in the BetWright Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2.10).

Brendan Powell’s partner finished second to a promising type in Indannya at Wincanton 16 days ago and an opening British Horseracing Authority rating of 107 looks fair.

The return to the smaller obstacles did the trick for HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA at Warwick last month, and the Jamie Snowden trainee gets the vote in the Listed BetWright Beeswing Mares' Hurdle (1.00).

Three-time course-and-distance winner ELOI DU PUY shouldn’t be underestimated in the BetWright Handicap Hurdle (1.30), and GLEN ROAD looks on the right side of the assessor in the BetWright Novices' Handicap Chase (2.40).

Bangor-on-Dee makes a welcome appearance on terrestrial television, and STATIC has plenty going for him in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Hurdle (3.20).