Reg Akehurst will be a hard act to follow but that is exactly what Charlie Mann will be attempting when he saddles Bimsey for today's Coopers & Lybrand Ascot Hurdle.
The seven-year-old joined Mann following the announcement of Akehurst's retirement and Bimsey's new trainer describes him as a "smashing horse and we'll do well to improve him from Reg".
But the entire would not have to improve to take today's two and a half mile contest judged on his performance when winning the Martell Aintree Hurdle in April.
At Liverpool Bimsey took over from champion hurdler Make A Stand four out and kept on strongly to hold Pridwell by one and a half lengths.
Martin Pipe's hurdler reopposes at Ascot on identical terms and could once again find his old rival too tough a nut to crack.
The main danger to Bimsey could come from Ocean Hawk, an out and out stayer who won well on his reappearance last season but will be racing over a trip short of his best.
Arctic Kinsman looks a good bet to regain the winning thread in the Gerrard Group Handicap Chase 30 minutes later.
The grey's last success came in the Martell Aintree Chase in April 1996 and Nigel Twiston-Davies's bold jumper has been plagued with niggling problems since but has put up some decent efforts including when a three-length second to Viking Flagship at Kempton in February.
A horse who goes well when fresh, Arctic Kinsman can show too much speed for course specialist Storm Alert to land this competitive contest.
Monyman looks the one in the John Parrett Memorial Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. Micky Hammond's seven-yearold, a winner four times over fences last term, shaped well on his reappearance when third to the well-handicapped Suas Leat at Haydock, when holding every chance until lack of an outing told on the run to the last.
That race will have just put the edge on Monyman and he is a confident selection to land this Aintree prize.
Recent Market Rasen winner Silly Money appeals as a sound wager in the Cedric Croston Handicap Hurdle on the same card.
