CAPTAIN DION can continue his excellent run of form with victory in the opening Sun Bets On The App Store Handicap at Wolverhampton.

Kevin Ryan's grey has a likeable profile overall, having won four of his 12 starts to date and finished placed on a further three occasions.

He seems equally effective on turf and all-weather and dominated proceedings from the front on his latest appearance at Newcastle in the first-time visor. Assuming the headgear does the trick once more, he can follow up.

He has a 4lb rise to overcome but with Ryan's winter team in good heart, that is of little concern with Kevin Stott taking the ride.

Rae Guest has always done exceptionally well with his fillies and A L'ANGLAISE could take some stopping under Luke Morris in the following Betway Handicap.

With Andre Fabre last year, she took time to hit her stride but rounded off her French career with a three-length win at Chantilly.

Quite how the French all-weather form will translate over here is a question mark but she is beautifully bred and one to bear in mind for the rest of the season.

BLUE BAHIA will not be winning out of turn if striking gold with PJ McDonald on board in the Betway Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The Mark Johnston-trained filly has finished in the first three on four of her seven starts without hitting the bullseye, most recently boxing on for second over this course and distance.

The winner has let the form down a little since but Blue Bahia remains open to progress, has a likeable attitude and should be difficult to beat in a race that might not take a lot of winning.

The expensively-bought HAWKHURST might finally come good in the JG Paxtons Handicap Chase with Richie McLernon taking the reins on today's nap selection at Sedgefield.

It is fair to assume that when leading owner JP McManus went to £200,000 to secure the services of the Irish point-to-point winner, he would not have expected him to still be a maiden under Rules over two years down the line.

While his six-race hurdling career was not devoid of promise, it was largely underwhelming and he was moved to the smaller stables of Ben Haslam at the start of this season in the hope it would give him a new lease of life.

Hawkhurst only made it as far as the fourth fence on his first start for his new trainer and chasing debut at Carlisle and was ultimately well-beaten at Catterick last time out.

Yet the handicapper has given him a real chance by dropping his rating to 119, allowing him to make a move into this lower grade, and this looks a fine opportunity for to pay back at least a small amount of his huge price tag.

Donald McCain has enjoyed a much better season, albeit at a lower level than when Peddler's Cross and Overturn were genuine Champion Hurdle contenders, and his NAFAATH looks a solid option in the Sedgefield Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

Consistent in the right grade, he is ridden by McCain's daughter Abbie, who claims a valuable 7lb.