DEFINITLY RED can cause a bit of an upset in what should be a blinding renewal of the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Pre-race chatter has correctly revolved around Cue Card and Coneygree and it would be wonderful if both horses could run to their best in Yorkshire.

But with Cue Card not getting any younger and Coneygree a hard horse to pin down after such a troublesome few years, Definitly Red is an appealing alternative at good odds as today's nap selection under Danny Cook.

Capable trainer Brian Ellison is always optimistic, and sometimes overly so, but it is interesting the Malton handler has already mentioned the Gold Cup as a long-term goal for the eight-year-old.

He admittedly has to go some, and more, to even enter calculations for the big one at Cheltenham – but Definitly Red, who has had just 10 starts over fences, is definitely good enough to win a Charlie Hall.

The 159-rated chaser's Grand National dreams went up in smoke in April after his saddle slipped on the first circuit but, before that, he looked a horse at the top of his game.

A 17-length demolition job in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster was pretty special in the grand scheme of things but he is not just about stamina.

No better was that illustrated than in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over this course and distance on Boxing Day, when he produced a fleet-footed display to score by seven lengths.

Just as importantly, though, is the fact that he goes well as a fresh horse, having won twice on his seasonal return under rules.

With the ground seemingly just about ideal for him, it will be fascinating to see how Definitly Red gets on against the big two in a race which is never often quite as straightforward as the bookmakers would have us believe.

It is difficult to escape the charms of LIL ROCKERFELLER in the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle.

Neil King's flagbearer was third in the race 12 months ago but he has since made breathless progress, having finished runner-up in the Long Walk at Ascot and in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

King reports Lil Rockerfeller "more forward" than this time last year and he can be trusted to get the job done with Trevor Whelan as pilot.

Contrary to what feels now like popular belief, the Flat season is still on the go, with Newmarket staging a tidy little card featuring three Listed races.

The Montrose Fillies' Stakes might be particularly informative, with narrow preference for WILD IMPALA.

John Gosden's youngster looked the part at this track last month, when she pocketed a seven-furlong novice race by three and a quarter lengths. She looks utterly deserving of a step up in grade and class as Robert Havlin takes the reins.

Group Two-winning colt BOYNTON ought to be much sharper than at Chelmsford last month and should be the solution to the James Seymour Stakes, while OH THIS IS US could go well at a fair price in the Ben Marshall Stakes.

There is also good jumps racing at Ascot, where DARK FLAME can land a nice prize for trainer Richard Rowe.

The eight-year-old enjoys running at the Berkshire circuit and hardly looks weighted to the hilt in the Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase.