CYRUS DARIUS can get his career back on track by claiming top honours in the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.

Malcolm Jefferson's charge looked one of the northern circuit's brightest National Hunt prospects after producing a brilliant display in a Grade Two novice hurdle at Aintree in the spring of 2015.

Yet he was made to work harder than expected when making a winning debut over fences at Perth in September of that year and it soon emerged he had suffered an injury that would rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

The eight-year-old made his long-awaited return in last month's Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock – and while he was ultimately well beaten, he raced with plenty of enthusiasm for much of the way before eventually tiring.

Cyrus Darius should strip fitter for that run and will be hard to beat in this small field as today's nap selection under Brian Hughes.

BERNARDELLI can shrug off a 7lb rise as he bids for glory with Craig Nichol in the saddle for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase.

Equipped with blinkers last time out, the nine-year-old found plenty after the last to triumph by nine lengths and put behind him a couple of so-so runs so far this term.

The handicapper has certainly not done him any favours and Nicky Richards' charge will have to contend with a career-high mark here, although Bernardelli could go in again with his confidence riding high.

Alan King can strike at Leicester with Noel Fehily on board WINNER MASSAGOT in the Fernie Chase.

His Cheltenham entries may look a bit fanciful right now, as he has yet to really get it together over fences, but this looks the perfect opportunity to strike.

His initial effort at Newbury was thoroughly disappointing and being hampered on his next outing at Doncaster hardly helped his chances.

He shaped with more promise when second to Querry Horse back at Doncaster and if he can avoid any silly jumping mistakes, Winner Massagot should be thereabouts in the finish.

COHESION can build on a promising British debut by winning the Betway Conditions Stakes at Lingfield with Rob Hornby on the reins.

Formerly trained in France, Cohesion joined David Bridgwater's team after changing hands for 85,000 guineas at Tattersalls last October.

That may have seemed a hefty price tag for a horse that had won two moderate events and twice been beaten in Group Three company. Yet the son of Champs Elysees hails from a fine Juddmonte family that includes the likes of Phoenix Tower and Day Flight.

Gelded following his sale, Cohesion reappeared in a competitive enough handicap at Lingfield last month, where he ran much better than his finishing place of fourth would initially suggest.

Beaten just under two lengths by Pinzolo, with the reopposing Rock Steady in second, Cohesion was slow to break and, after being ridden conservatively, he never looked like catching the winner.

However, he stayed on well for fourth and looked very much like a horse worth following next time out.

He races off level weights with Rock Steady this time, so should at least be capable of turning that form around, but the conditions of the race certainly make him an appealing option as he gets weight from the rest of his rivals.

JACK FLASH, ridden by Jason Hart, should make the most of a return to Lingfield in the 32Red.com Handicap.

The Dark Angel gelding began life in Ireland with Ger Lyons but, after failing to strike in four outings, he was offloaded for 16,000 guineas last October and has already repaid a slice of that fee.

He made all at this track to claim a moderate six-furlong event at the beginning of January but then narrowly failed to follow up at Newcastle, being beaten three-quarters of a length after again trying to make all.

Jack Flash just could not hold on in the final furlong, so trainer Les Eyre's decision to switch back to six furlongs makes sense.

MIDTECH STAR can make it a quick Chelmsford double in the totequadpot Four Places In Four Races Handicap.

Ian Williams' runner struck gold over a mile and six furlongs at the Essex venue earlier in the month and, despite a 3lb hike, he is taken to follow up under Adam Kirby.

The five-year-old responded well for pressure and while he is as yet unproven over two miles, Midtech Star can rise to the challenge while in such good heart.