Sir Dante can give Richard Rowe a much-needed boost with victory in the Showcase Handicap Chase at Kempton today. His trainer has endured a wretched 12 months, with only seven winners all season.

And misfortune continued this term as Eulogy, who provided the one bright spot by winning the Whitbread Gold Cup, had to be put down after a fall at Sandown on his recent reappearance.

Sir Dante's absence due to injury through the whole of last term undoubtedly contributed to the trainer's misery as he had looked an exciting prospect in 1997/8, winning three novice chases.

A spell on the sidelines does not appear to have sapped the eight-year-old's strength, judged on a highly encouraging comeback fourth to The Outback Way at Cheltenham last month.

Castle Owen is the one to beat in the Strongbow Novices' Chase at Hereford.

David Nicholson's useful hurdler shaped well on his chasing debut at Chepstow last month, and was in fourth place when falling four fences from home. Afaan is thrown in at the weights for the Ladbroke Handicap at Wolverhampton. The very speedy sprinter is handicapped on the form he showed when last running on the all-weather, late in 1997.

But he has improved considerably since then and is currently rated 15lb higher on turf.