Soaked AND Sihafi may have their record-breaking attempts thwarted yet again when Juwwi opposes them in the 49's Handicap at Lingfield today. Both have notched nine wins in handicap company over the course of this year, and need just one more success to break the 20th-century record.

To have brought about such significant improvement in their horses, respective trainers David Chapman and David Nicholls must be praised, but their colleague Milton Bradley can have the last laugh.

Bought cheaply as a cast-off from the yard of Major Dick Hern after suffering an injury, the four-year-old won his first two starts for his new Chepstow-based handler, scoring both here and at Wolverhampton.

Since then, the son of Mujtahid has failed to find his way again to the winner's enclosure, but there was much to like about his third placing behind Pride Of Brixton and Sihafi at Wolverhampton last week.

Outpaced in the early stages of the race, Juwwi ran on strongly to finish only a half-length behind the first two and there must be every chance that given this extra furlong, he can hit the front.

Capable apprentice Craig Carver keeps the ride and takes a further valuable 7lb off his back.

Only three of Night City's 10 victories this year have come in handicaps, the other seven being in claimers. Karl Burke's remarkable seven-year-old can continue his winning streak in the Christmas Apprentice Handicap, a race he won 12 months ago.

His greatest danger looks to be Waasef, who is progressing well, but the selection likes a battle and can hold challengers at bay where it matters most.

The abandonment of Kelso's meeting has robbed punters of the best betting opportunities but Kimono looks worth an interest in the closing Seasons Greeting Maiden. Jeremy Noseda doesn't have many runners on the all-weather but those that do make it are always to be respected.

Bred in the purple, the daughter of Machiavellian out of a Niniski mare ran well enough on her only outing for previous trainer Jim Bolger in a maiden at Gowran Park and would have to be nothing too special to win.