GO MY DARLING Nicholls to land fab four in Lanzarote

DARLING MALTAIX (nap) is fancied to enjoy another day in the sun in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (2.40) at Kempton.

After failing to deliver on his previous two starts – he was a beaten favourite at Taunton and Wincanton – the Paul Nicholls trainee went to Ascot four days before Christmas with something of a health warning.

However, tackling this afternoon’s twomile, five-furlong distance for the first time, Darling Maltaix laughed at his 13 rivals, sauntering along under this afternoon’s rider Lorcan Williams before speeding away for a four-length supremacy.

The handicapper was always likely to seek his revenge and my selection has shot up 12lb in the weights.

But, with Williams under instructions to play his hand at the 11th hour, Darling Maltaix can find the progress necessary to give Nicholls a fourth Lanzarote from the past 11 runnings.

The Listed 32Red Casino Chase (2.05) is a good opportunity for

(right) to land another valuable prize.

The eight-year-old son of Iffraaj, expertly tutored by Kim Bailey, is riding the crest of a wave this winter, beating subsequent Betvictor

Gold Cup hero

Baron Alco at

Chepstow in October before making

Politologue work hard for victory at

Ascot the following month.

Last time out, Charbel put up a personal best to land Huntingdon’s Grade 2 Peterborough Chase by eight lengths, and a reproduction of that effort will make Noel Fehily’s mount very hard to beat.

There’s more than the odd ‘if or but’ about the seven who assemble for the handicap chase (3.15), so

gets no more than a

tentative vote.

At Warwick, is expected to defend his unbeaten record over obstacles by stepping up to Grade 2 level for the novice hurdle (2.25).

Philip Hobbs saddled the six-year-old to capture novice events at Kempton and Newbury in the first half of the winter – performances that hint at big things to come.

Charbel’s stablemate

looks good for the Listed novice chase (1.50), while is well treated in the handicap hurdle (3.35).

MALT TEASER Darling Maltaix is the one to beat at Kempton for trainer Paul Nicholls (above)