Horse Racing: Rock-solid Kilcrea Castle can carry on revival at Kempton

The eight-year-old was a classy performer in Ireland, being placed in Graded company three times while just falling short of hitting the target.

He has not visited the winner's enclosure since December 2008 but has still been running well in defeat, prompting connections to try a change of scenery.

The switch certainly seems to have freshened up Kilcrea Castle, with Lavelle's runner turning in an excellent effort on his British bow. Beaten just over two lengths by The Sawyer at Ascot, Kilcrea Castle looked a likely victor until a lack of a run just told.

The winner has since gone on to score again at Cheltenham and finish third in Grade One company while runner-up Miss Mitch reopposes on worse terms here.

Kilcrea Castle should strip much fitter this time and is a horse who will certainly handle the soft ground given that he was a winner on heavy in Ireland.

Punjabi should put himself back in the Champion Hurdle mix with victory in what is effectively a consolation event for last weekend's Kingwell Hurdle, which was lost to the weather. The reigning champion has been out of luck in two starts this term but he is a horse that needs his racing and victory in the Racing Post iPhone App HBLB Champion Hurdle Trial will put him spot on for Cheltenham.

Magic Sky can make amends for a fall at Bangor last time with victory in the Chepstow's totesport.com Veterans' Handicap Chase.

The ten-year-old barely qualifies for veteran status and is still capable of mixing it in standard company, as he has shown with a couple of wins already this term.

There is plenty of good all-weather action on offer at Lingfield too with all eyes on Dubai World Cup hopeful Gitano Hernando in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Winter Derby Trial Stakes.

A Grade One winner in America last year, he is head and shoulders above the rest on form but he will have to shoulder an extra 6lb as he returns from a lengthy lay-off.