Better Times Ahead can bounce back in the Ashleybank Investments Handicap Chase at Carlisle today. Gordon Richards' 11year-old had a wretched time last season but it is worth recalling that he has been very useful over both fences and hurdles in the past.

In 1995/6 he proved one of the best staying hurdlers around and although he is not getting any younger, there has to be the chance that seven months off will have freshened him up.

Interestingly, he has won first time out on three occasions, and, being very well handicapped now, is certainly up to trouncing this field if his enthusiasm has been rekindled.

This is a race full of imponderables, with Son Of Iris a likely bad value favourite and Better Times Ahead is worth the nap .

Len Lungo's horses are in fine form and his Celtic Giant is the one to be on in the Heads Nook Novices' Chase. The seven-year-old has always been held in high regard but did not really come on over fences as would have been expected last season.

However, Lungo explained that he had a lung infection and he showed he was back on track at Ayr recently, leading a long way out and staying on well to beat Prime Example by three and a half lengths.

Celtic Giant is thought of as a future Scottish Grand National sort and should come into his own given a good stamina test but, even over today's two and a half miles, he ought to come out on top against some one-paced rivals.

Lungo has good prospects of a double with Out On A Promise in the Caldbeck Handicap Hurdle. A consistent performer when trained by Nick Walker last season, the five-year-old made a pleasing reappearance at Ayr, going well until fading to finish seven lengths third of 10 to Fen Terrier. This little race looks an ideal opening.

Listen Timmy is another promising New Zealand import for Steve Brookshaw. He impressively brushed aside the opposition at Uttoxeter on his British debut and should repeat the trick over course and distance in the Planet Ice Novices' Chase.