While talk of the Cheltenham Festival is the priority for most trainers at this stage of the season, that is not the case for Henry Daly, with his eye set on a trip to Sandown with Flashjack following his decisive victory at Towcester.
Despite being saddled with a penalty for his success at Leicester earlier in the campaign, the 6-4 second-favourite made light work of his extra weight in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle to defeat hurdling debutant Mahlers Star by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths.
Daly said: "I don't think two miles is his trip, but he has got enough toe at the moment to run in novice events over that trip. I am very keen to run in the EBF Final at Sandown, as I am sure it is the right race for him. It's a very nice prize and I'm sure he will get the extra half-mile. I don't think this ground is necessary, most horses have had to deal with soft or heavy ground as that's what it's been."
Warren Greatrex is contemplating giving Caitys Joy (4-5) an outing in the valuable Mares' "National Hunt" Novices Hurdle Final at Newbury after making her second start over a hurdles a winning one.
Having finished a close second on her hurdling debut at Huntingdon, the six-year-old went one better when coasting home by an eased-down nine lengths in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Greatrex said: "She is cracking and I like her a lot. She didn't like the ground, but she handled it.
"She was head and shoulders above some of these. Daryl (Jacob) mentioned the mares' novice final at Newbury.
"I think you will see a better filly on better ground in a better race, where she is able to settle more as she was harried all the way today."
Alan King looks to have another promising prospect among his ranks as Informationisking built on his debut third at Warwick with victory in the concluding Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Although driven along at the foot of the hill, the 4-1 shot showed stamina is his forte when outbattling last-time-out winner Ballymalin by a length and three-quarters to give successful jockey Barry Geraghty a rare winner at the Northamptonshire track.
King said: "He is a gorgeous horse and is very much a horse for next year. I will speak to Frank Berry, but I would think that will probably do for the season.
"He will come back hurdling in the autumn. He is a very nice horse for the future. He is all about stamina, that is why we thought this track would suit him as one thing he was always going to do was keep galloping."
After watching Hassadin fail to complete a quick-fire hat-trick in the first race, trainer Michael Blake had his spirits lifted by the heavily-backed High Aspirations (100-30) following his return to form in the Follow At totepool On Twitter Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.
Blake said: "I probably ran Hassadin back too quick, but I had to try it. I've been so baffled by this horse (High Aspirations), as he has not finished his races. I decided to drop him back to two miles and put the hood on in the hope it did him some good and thankfully it's paid off."
The eight members of the Pink Fizz Fillies syndicate had good cause for a celebratory drink after Cheat The Cheater (6-1) ground out victory in the Sky Bet Cheltenham Preview Here March 7th Handicap Chase.
Claire Dyson, winning trainer, said: "It's brilliant. He has just been crying out for a track like Towcester. Brendan Powell rode him fabulously and he just ground it out. He is not very quick, but he jumps brilliantly and that keeps him in touch."
After striking aboard Global Dream for trainer Caroline Bailey at Leicester on Wednesday, jockey Adam Pogson made it two winners in as many days when teaming up with his dad, and trainer, Charles, to take the totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap Hurdle with Mondo Cane (7-1).
The David Pipe-trained Navanman (6-1) showed an appreciation for the step up to two miles and five furlongs in the totepool Racing's Biggest Supporter Handicap Hurdle.