SATURDAY SELECTIONS:

FFOS LAS: 2.30 Cresswell Pride, 3.05 Universal Soldier, 3.40 The Snail, 4.15 Almaydan, 4.50 Bubble Boy, 5.25 Plenty Of Chat, 6.00 Bobbie Magern

GOWRAN: 2.20 Jim Bowie, 2.50 Crash Ball, 3.20 Manhattan Boy, 3.55 Roi Du Mee, 4.30 Big Phil, 5.05 Travino, 5.40 Artic Island

LINGFIELD: 1.55 Prince Of Thebes, 2.25 Kyllachy Star, 3.00 Hanson'D, 3.35 Tranquil Tiger, 4.10 Sworn Tigress, 4.45 Jaconet, 5.20 Deauville Post, 5.50 Al Farahidi

NEWCASTLE: 2.15 Fentara, 2.50 Mister Pete, 3.25 Prince Tam, 4.00 Bold Ransom, 4.35 Ocarina, 5.10 The Gloves Are Off, 5.45 Seven Stars

UTTOXETER: 1.30 Action Impact, 2.05 Junior, 2.40 Woolfall Treasure, 3.15 BADGERLAW (NAP), 3.50 Jaunty Dove, 4.25 Mic's Delight, 5.00 Tanners Court, 5.35 Off Gallivanting.

DOUBLE: Badgerlaw and Tranquil Tiger

Badgerlaw can strike a blow for the Irish in a wide-open renewal of the John Smith's Midlands Grand National Chase Handicap at Uttoxeter.

Jessica Harrington's 10-year-old will be competing in the race for a third consecutive year, having finished runner-up in 2008 and fifth 12 months ago.

The tough chaser is 3lb better off than his brave second behind Himalayan Trail two years ago, and has this winter posted some solid form over timber.

Suitably buoyed by an uncompromising victory at Punchestown, Badgerlaw was then set a rather daunting assignment in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

While he shaped with credit, unsurprisingly staying on at the death, the gelding realistically had little chance at the weights.

He is a far different proposition over fences, however, as his Listed success at Cork last April neatly illustrated.

Badgerlaw would, like many of his rivals, require the forecast rain to be seen at his best.

If that is the case, he would have a strong chance of finishing in the money at the very least.

A fine card is in the offing at Lingfield, where Tranquil Tiger can roar to glory in the sportingbet Supports Heros Winter Derby.

The six-year-old entire finished last year with a flourish, signing off with two eyecatching course-and-distance Listed triumphs.

Crucially, Henry Cecil's son of Selkirk has proved in the past he goes well fresh, so a 91-day absence should not put anyone off.

Pleasing gallops work with the mighty Twice Over adds further credence to his claims of landing a first Group Three prize in a distinguished career.

Rowe Park has already won at that level and could go well at a fair price in the sportingbet Supports Heros Hever Sprint Stakes.

The appointment of Ryan Moore for Linda Jewell could be a tip in itself.

Hanson'D was considered good enough to run in the Racing Post Trophy and should be monitored with interest in the sportingbet Supports Heros Spring Cup.

Almaydan can be rewarded for a consistent year in the Trustmark Handicap Chase at Ffos Las.

Richard Lee's popular 12-year-old is showing no signs of deteriorating, despite his advancing years.

Indeed, he has finished third on his last three outings in fairly hot company.

This two-mile test will again be of a decent calibre, but the handicapper's decision to shed him of 3lb will surely help his cause.

Now back at his last winning mark - he won at Doncaster last January off 130 - Lee's resilient gelding should be unfazed by the likely fast ground in Wales.

Ocarina can hit the target after a run of near-misses when he takes his place in the Guinness Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

The eight-year-old has, rather annoyingly, finished third on his last four starts but has a cracking chance of finding the winner's enclosure for the first time since December 2007.