Bright future for Radiance

Jonathan Portman’s filly was in fine form towards the end of last year as she began to  really find her niche on the all-weather after some lacklustre turf efforts earlier.

The decision to concentrate on artificial surfaces through the winter months was initially slow to pay off but, once Russian Radiance found her feet, she reeled off a couple of wins on the bounce. Her first win over Seychelloise reads well enough as that one is a subsequent dual winner while she defied a 5lb hike to follow up back at Wolverhampton next time out. Switched to Lingfield for her most recent start, Russian Radiance lined up off an 11lb higher mark than her first win but just got going a touch too late behind Subtle Knife.

She was only beaten a length and a quarter but, given how much she was left to do with two furlongs to run, it was still a fine effort. The handicapper clearly took that view as Russian Radiance has gone up another 2lb but as this is only her 10th race, there is plenty of scope for more improvement from this Paco Boy filly.

Trimoulet is another who displayed winning form before the end of 2015 and he can pick up where he left off in the £10 Free Bet At 32RedSport.com Handicap.

The seven-year-old has not seen much racing for a horse of his age but Daniel Kubler has placed him to good effect on four occasions already and, fresh from a break, this event could provide a fifth victory.

He made all over 11 furlongs at Kempton at the beginning of December, appearing to win with a touch in hand despite the official one-length verdict.

The handicapper has put him up just 2lb for that success and Trimoulet looks capable of defying that increased  burden.

Southern Storm can take top honours in the Ladbrokes Handicap at Wolverhampton. The four-year-old hails from the family of Fusaichi Pegasus but has taken her time to find winning form, eventually hitting the target at the fourth time of asking. That victory clearly enhanced her paddock value but connections have resisted the urge to pack her off to stud for the moment.

All eyes will be on Victoria Pendleton as she teams up once again with Pacha Du Polder in the Betfair Switching Saddles Hunters’ Chase at Wincanton.

Much has been said about Pendleton’s ability in the plate but, in all honesty, she looked a bit unlucky when she was unshipped from this horse at Fakenham after getting a slight jolt from another faller.

Without doubt Pacha Du Polder is the best horse in the race with the best part of a stone or more in hand of everyone, so it would be great to see Pendleton achieve a clear round on the class runner in the field.

Pacha Du Polder’s fellow Paul Nicholls inmate Tagrita should take all the beating in the Cash Out With Betfair Handicap Hurdle.

She returned from a bit of a lay off to win at this track in February and can follow up off a 6lb higher perch.

Beat The Tide is the choice in the Stella Cidre Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Bangor.

He is on a frustrating run of placed efforts at present, finishing second on the last three occasions, but he can snap that sequence with victory here.