KILBRICKEN STORM should solve the conundrum that is the Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury today.

Colin Tizzard's six-year-old has made breathless progress this season and ought to be good enough to land what is actually a tricky renewal of the Grade One contest, with five of the six declared runners being last-time-out winners.

Kilbricken Storm had to work quite hard to win a Grade Two at Cheltenham two weeks ago, but, even in spite of a tendency to hang left, it was reassuring to see him finish off his race so strongly.

That was his first start for Tizzard, pictured, over three miles, which certainly bodes well with the Albert Bartlett in mind at the Festival in March.

And though this represents a drop back in trip, it should hold no terrors as he showed a bit of boot when an admittedly fortunate winner over two miles at Wincanton last month.

Kilbricken Storm has clearly made immeasurable improvement since then and should be followed with interest.

Sunshade must have a cracking chance of claiming Listed honours at Taunton.

Nicky Henderson's likeable filly is unbeaten in three starts for the Seven Barrows team and looked especially sharp in a small novice hurdle at Market Rasen on December 7.

The totetrifecta Mares' Novices' Hurdle seems the logical next port of call for the royal runner, who should not be unduly knocked off her stride if the ground remains soft.

Tropics can continue to cock a snook in the direction of Father Time when he rocks up at Lingfield.

What trainer Dean Ivory would do for a few more horses in his yard like this old boy, who happily ended a lengthy winless run at Wolverhampton two weeks ago.

The nine-year-old son of Speightstown had threatened to take top spot throughout the autumn, but he made no mistake at Dunstall Park with a length-and-a-half defeat of Rajar, who is no mug.

Tropics has gone up 4lb for the six-furlong Betway Sprint Handicap, but he has shown over the years he is capable of winning back-to-back races.

It should not be forgotten, either, that he is rated vastly lower compared to his glory days, when he reached a career-high mark of 116.

Moreover, Jack Duern's 3lb claim will once again come in very useful.

Isaacstown Lad can gain a nice spot of redemption when he returns to Haydock for a handicap hurdle over two miles and seven furlongs.

The 10-year-old looked destined to take a considerable hand in the finish over this course and distance a week ago, but fell at the seventh flight as the 6-4 favourite.

Assuming that slip-up has not left any psychological wounds, losses can be recouped on Merseyside.

Mystique Moon can help Charlie Appleby sign off a memorable 2017 with victory in the Play For Free At Sunbets.co.uk/Vegas Handicap at Lingfield.

The Godolphin trainer sent out countless big-race winners in the last 12 months, including Wuheida at the Breeders' Cup, as he further cemented his position among the training elite.

This Shamardal gelding won his first two starts at the turn of the year, before meeting fellow Godolphin runner Arabian Hope in a handicap at Chelmsford in April.

Appleby's charge had to give second best to the Saeed bin Suroor representative, but there was no disgrace in that, with the winner taking a Listed race next time out before finishing third to Roly Poly in the Falmouth Stakes.

Presumably something went amiss with the selection after Chelmsford, but this offers an excellent opportunity for a nice confidence booster.

Adam Kirby's first-time booking for Ojala in the 32Red.com Nursery Handicap looks a significant one by Simon Dow.

Kirby can also be among the winners in division one of the Betway Sprint Handicap courtesy of the Gary Moore-trained Pride Of Angels.

TODAY'S SELECTIONS

HAYDOCK: 11.50 Du Soleil, 12.25 Jonniesofa, 1.00 Treshnish, 1.35 Isaacstown Lad, 2.10 West Of The Edge, 2.45 Federici, 3.20 Air Navigator.

LINGFIELD: 11.30 City Gent, 12.00 Tropics, 12.35 D'Waterside, 1.10 Line Of Beauty, 1.45 Mr Mac, 2.20 Living Leader, 2.55 Elysian Fields, 3.30 Unit Of Assessment.

NEWBURY: 12.05 Nayati, 12.40 Royal Ruby, 1.15 Saint Calvados, 1.50 Huntsman Son, 2.25 Potters Legend, 3.00 KILBRICKEN STORM (NAP), 3.35 Rocklander.

TAUNTON: 12.15 Kings Inn, 12.50 Don't Ask, 1.25 Cap Horner, 2.00 Challico, 2.35 Burrenbridge Hotel, 3.15 Sunshade, 3.45 Atlantic Storm.

DOUBLE: Kilbricken Storm and Tropics.

Tomorrow

LINGFIELD: 11.40 Enigmatic, 12.10 Furzig, 12.40 Ojala, 1.15 Rainbow Rebel, 1.45 MYSTIQUE MOON (NAP), 2.15 Pride Of Angels, 2.50 Gold Club, 3.20 Shackled N Drawn.

PUNCHESTOWN: 12.35 Monbeg Notorious, 1.05 Surrogate Lad, 1.40 Killultagh Vic, 2.10 Msassa, 2.40 Synopsis, 3.15 Oakfield Rose, 3.45 Ifyoucatchmenow.

WARWICK: 12.30 Oscar World, 1.00 Shanty Town, 1.35 Le Rocher, 2.05 Culture De Sivola, 2.35 Dontminddboys, 3.10 Indian Reel, 3.40 Kingsplace.

UTTOXETER: 12.20 Aza Run, 12.50 Juge Et Parti, 1.25 Ben Arthur, 1.55 Cave Top, 2.25 Arctic Gold, 3.00 Mozo, 3.30 Jaunty Soria.

DOUBLE: Mystique Moon and Ojala.