Punters tackling today's £10,500-added John Bull Chase at Wincanton face a tricky dilemma. Should one oppose Challenger du Luc on the grounds that he has blatantly "dogged" it whenever faced with a battle this season - or side with him as the clear form choice?

Given that he is fitted with a visor for the first time, the latter course of action is suggested.

There can be little faulting what Martin Pipe's charge has achieved, most notably last month at Kempton in the Pertemps King George VI Chase when two lengths second to See More Business. But his performance will be remembered for the way he brazenly refused to go past the winner on the run-in to claim first prize.

It was arguably a similar story at Newbury in November when Challenger du Luc was out-battled by Callisoe Bay in the Jacky Upton Chase, beaten a head.

Challenger du Luc meets that rival on 9lb better terms here - but what will really count is whether the visor has the desired effect.

Given that it could, plus the facts that he should represent fair value as backers shy away from him and that question marks hang over Trying Again, Amtrak Express and Stately Home, Challenger du Luc is taken to turn over a new leaf.

At Wetherby, Strath Royal looks a decent wager to overturn Couldn't Be Better and Unguided Missile, in the £10,500-added Monkton Handicap Chase.

Owen Brennan's 12-year-old is in irresistible form and loves Wetherby to boot.

Escartefigue will be a short price to win the £18,500-added Towton Novices' Chase, so the best bet of the day is Cattly Hang in the Wike Handicap Chase.

Jim Leigh's eight-year-old showed his potential as a novice over course and distance last season when beating the odds-on Chief Minister one and a half lengths in a race which subsequently worked out well.

He made an encouraging reappearance at Leicester when three lengths second to Clare Man, the pair 18 lengths clear.

Moyglare Stud will put its entire home bred crop of 32 two-year-olds into training with Dermot Weld next season. The stud made the headlines when selling several of its best stock last year including the Irish Oaks winner Dance Design but Moyglare manager Stan Cosgrove said yesterday: "We sold those because we wanted to show a profit last year. Now that has been achieved, we feel free to race a full complement of horses."