Having won his maiden at the now unthinkable price of 20-1, Raven’s Pass fairly hacked up in a Listed heat at Ascot on his last start.

The form going into that seven-furlong contest was also worth more than a cursory glance as nine of the 10 runners had previously hit the target.

But Gosden’s son of Elusive Quality produced an eyecatching burst of speed from the front to win going away by five lengths.

That race has admittedly not worked out as well as it should have done but Raven’s Pass was still singled out as being a little bit special.

Any Classic aspirations for next year would surely be polarised with a big run at Sandown and he merits utmost respect.

On what is an engaging card, Fantasy Believer is napped to do the business in the Variety Club Handicap.

John Quinn’s nine-year-old seldom runs a bad race and again showed customary dash in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon.

Having won off a mark of 104 last September, the Sure Blade gelding is teasingly handicapped for this assignment off a perch of 93.

Another tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup would surely enter the reckoning if he maintains his high standards in this five-furlong event.

Bauer can continue Luca Cumani’s recent hot streak by winning the Call 08000 568 621 Chester Handicap on the Roodee.

The four-year-old has shown remarkable progression since winning a lowly Ayr handicap off a mark of 60 and was widely touted as an Ebor contender – only to miss the cut.

His close-up second at Pontefract hardly dented his reputation too severely, while there is nothing in his profile to suggest he will be unable to handle the unique twists and turns of Chester.

Compton’s Eleven has not been too badly treated for his short-head call over Certain Justice at Newmarket and can follow up in the Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap.

No Grouse has gone an age without winning but his turn could be near on the evidence of his second at Catterick.

Raised just 1lb for that narrow reverse, the Wedding Venue Handicap at Musselburgh holds no hidden terrors for Eric Alston’s charge.

National Hunt fans have plenty to sink their teeth into at Newton Abbot, where the Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Chase takes top billing.

Veteran performer It Takes Time is without a victory since February 2005 but this represents a decent opportunity.

David Pipe’s 13-year-old has lost little in defeat this summer and turned in a corking effort in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen.

Held up in rear – as is his wont – It Takes Time made steady headway inside the final mile before succumbing to the towering advances of Iron Man and Hoo La Baloo, the first two home.

A similar effort can see the former Grade One winner roll back the years in Devon.