Eduard can banish memories of an unfortunate chasing debut when he returns to Carlisle for the Happy Birthday Courtney Walton Novices' Chase on Sunday.

Trained in nearby Greystoke by Nicky Richards, the five-year-old gained plenty of admirers in his hurdling days, during which time he finished second in a Grade Two.

But chasing was always going to be his strong suit, and Eduard very nearly made the perfect start within that sphere over course and distance in October.

Richards' inmate jumped swiftly and efficiently for most of the two-mile journey, but it then went badly wrong when he made an almighty howler at the second-last.

Eduard creditably responded with purpose, but by then the winner, the very useful Pendra, had already flown.

Had he not committed that gaffe, the imposing gelding could feasibly have claimed the scalp of a horse who has since won again with the minimum of fuss.

A powerful, scopey individual, Eduard will be unfazed by whatever the ground is like at Cumbria over the weekend and can take this en route to bigger prizes.

There are races to be won with Frankie's Promise, who can be recognised as a danger to all in the 32Red.com EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

The Nick Alexander-trained five-year-old unseated his jockey on his hurdling debut at Kelso in October, but turned in a much-improved display at Ayr.

Frankie's Promise again jumped a little scratchily, but there was quite a bit to take from his staying-on third over two miles.

The decision to step him up in trip by nearly half a mile looks wise given previous exploits, which will have given him a more streetwise demeanour for his third try over hurdles.

Soft ground will not be an issue, either.

Amore Mio can add to the not inconsiderable gains accrued at Ayr by winning the PPM The Property Maintenance People Handicap Hurdle.

Lucinda Russell has done a good job with this eight-year-old since he switched yards a year ago, with his four-and-a-half-length victory in Scotland last time the highlight.

Amore Mio bumped into a willing rival in Hartforth that day, but he showed plenty of resolution to regain the initiative and win going away.

A 7lb rise in the weights is hardly a disaster for a horse who still has room with which to manoeuvre in the handicap - especially if his chase form is factored into the equation.

Favorite Girl is a confident pick on a difficult-looking card at Leicester.

The five-year-old mare looked revitalised for a break on her seasonal bow at Market Rasen, where she finished second to Wily Fox in a decent handicap hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.

Michael Appleby's representative was admittedly comprehensively outgunned by the winner, but she matched James Eustace's charge stride for stride before she grew a little leg weary along the run-in.

Favorite Girl should be a lot sharper for the experience in the Billy Beighton Loved Racing Memorial Handicap Hurdle and will almost certainly appreciate the drop in trip.

Daymar Bay is the stand-out contender vying for top honours in the Pat, Ken And Tom Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old gelding made a good impression on his chasing bow at Ludlow when a close-up second behind Oyster Shell, who had already had the benefit of a spin over fences.

Emma Lavelle's gelding has gone up 5lb for this, but he boasts a most attractive profile for horse his age.

A cracking card at Fairyhouse in Ireland should see Jezki further bolster his Champion Hurdle claims by winning the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

Jessica Harrington's three-times Grade One scorer did well to win a deeply unsatisfactory renewal of the WKD Hurdle last time and is open to limitless improvement this winter.

Don Cossack was vanquished by the high-calibre Morning Assembly at Punchestown, but the return to two and a half miles can reignite connections' optimism in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase.

Trainer Eddie Harty has been at pains to play down the talents of the unbeaten Minella Foru, but his moderation will surely need a reassessment if he does what is expected of him in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

SELECTIONS

CARLISLE: 12.20 Frankie's Promise, 12.50 EDUARD (NAP), 1.20 Blades Lad, 1.55 Harouet, 2.25 Omid, 3.00 Amore Mio, 3.30 Dickie Henderhoop.

FAIRYHOUSE: 12.10 Clarcam, 12.40 Minella Foru, 1.10 Don Cossack, 1.45 Victrix Gale, 2.15 Jezki, 2.50 Prosperity Square, 3.20 Value At Risk.

LEICESTER: 1.00 Daymar Bay, 1.30 Lac Sacre, 2.05 Nom De Guerre, 2.35 Favorite Girl, 3.10 Bally Lagan, 3.40 Royal Regatta.

DOUBLE: Eduard and Favorite Girl.