Mr Mahdlo, who at Wetherby a fortnight ago gave notice of better things to come, returns to the A1 course tomorrow with excellent prospects of gaining an overdue success.

The six-year-old, trained at Welburn near Castle Howard by Bob Woodhouse, goes for the Wetherby Racecourse Conferences Handicap Chase over an extended three miles.

A previous course and distance winner, Mr Mahdlo lost his form last season but now looks to be on the comeback trail.

His latest effort saw him make most of the running until the second-last fence where he faded into fourth place behind Random Harvest.

Thought likely to have needed that outing, Mr Mahdlo can strip fitter tomorrow and is fancied to lead from start to finish.

Calvin McCormack, rider of Mr Mahdlo, can also have a say in the outcome of the feature race, the £14,000 Cumbrian Challenge Handicap Chase, named in honour of the Tim Easterby-trained gelding, who has won no fewer than 10 races at Wetherby.

McCormack teams-up with Master Wood, a course specialist who will appreciate the return to Wetherby after coming to grief early on in the Becher Chase run over the Grand National fences at Aintree two weeks ago.

Apparently none the worse for that tumble, Master Wood, owned by former Scarborough trainer Roy Robinson, can pick up the threads of his career again here.

The Fund For Epilepsy Novices' Chase, a race sponsored by Peter and Marjorie Easterby, is the target for Nap selection Narrow Water, a winner on this course 10 days ago.

Ferdy Murphy's gelding will require every yard of this extended two and a half miles, but will love the soft ground and is fancied to take plenty of beating.

Dhaudeloup, who faded to finish fourth at Ascot last time, tries again in the Rocom Handicap Hurdle and is worth another chance.

Richard Fahey's gelding is a very smart performer at his best and a reproduction of his bold show in last season's Swinton Hurdle at Haydock would probably be good enough to clinch this prize.

At Chepstow, the £35,000 Tote John Hughes Handicap Chase takes pride of place over three miles.

Moral Support, unbeaten in three outings this season, could be the one to be on, not least because this progressive chaser hails from the Charlie Mann stable which is currently maintaining a 33 per cent strike-rate.

Top tips: 12.50 Mr Mahdlo; 1.25 Mr Hornblower; 1.55 Narrow Water (Nap); 2.30 Dhaudeloup; 3.05 Master Wood; 3.35 Freetown.

Chepstow 1.00 Sirrindi; 1.30 Galapiat de Mesnil; 2.00 Saint Cecilia; 2.35 Moral Support; 3.10 Pateley; 3.45 Sharakapour.

Sandown 12.45 Blowing Wind; 1.20 Quainton Hills; 1.55 Dusk Duel; 2.30 Direct Route; 3.05 Better Offer; 3.40 Lannkaran.