Ryan’s hope can rekindle Past glories at Southwell

● Gelding to win again after landing Newcastle gamble

Distant Past may be on his highest rating since the summer of 2015, but he can still make his mark in the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap at Southwell.

The six-year-old was rated as high as 94 in his pomp and has recently climbed back up to a perch of 92 after landing a good gamble at Newcastle before Christmas.

Kevin Ryan’s charge had turned in a couple of decent efforts prior to that win and finally hit the mark when well supported in a similar event to this at Gosforth Park.

While he was getting plenty of weight from a good yardstick in Gracious John, Distant Past thoroughly appreciated the drop back to five furlongs as he made every post a winning one.

He was unable to employ similar front-running tactics at Chelmsford last time and was caught wide on the bend after trying to take the lead, a move which probably cost him dear as he was beaten only three lengths in fifth. Distant Past remains on the same mark of 92 and, while the Fibresand is an unknown variable, the Pastoral Pursuits gelding has proved pretty versatile in terms of ground on turf and that must be a positive.

Isharah is on a roll at present and can bring up his hat-trick in the Betway Handicap.

The four-year-old appears to have found his stride this winter and has shown he has plenty of range in terms of trip as he has won over both a mile and a half and two miles on his last two outings.

Now on a mark of 87, Isharah looks as though he still has a bit left in the locker and he can continue to thrive.

Paul Nicholls should enjoy a good afternoon at Leicester with both Tagrita and Romain De Senam primed to strike.

Tagrita is unbeaten in two outings over fences so far this term and she puts that record on the line in the Charnwood Forest Mares’ Chase.

The nine-year-old kicked off the current campaign with a convincing five-length success over The Organist at Huntingdon back in November, shrugging off a minor jumping error to rally in the finish and emerge victorious.

She successfully carried a penalty for that success when winning at Exeter in middecember, turning in a competent round of jumping to win with the minimum of fuss and a little in hand over what was a bit of a sharp trip for her.

Back up to two and threequarter miles, Tagrita can make the switch to Listed company in style.

Romain De Senam can hit the target at the third attempt in the Dick Christian Novices’ Chase. The five-year-old proved pretty useful over hurdles, going down by just a head in the Fred Winter last season, but he has yet to really shine over fences, finding Top Notch too good on his first attempt before failing to strike a meaningful blow at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. He should have learnt plenty for those experiences though and can put up a good show here.