A competitive opening novices' hurdle at Newton Abbot today could go the way of Zakatal, who gets the step up in trip he needs and is open to improvement.

He is untried over fast ground but his dam Kalanisi relished hearing the rattle of his hooves so that should hold no fears.

The Nicky Henderson- trained Oedipe was disappointing on his last outing at Fakenham but is given another chance and Five Star Wilsham, trained on Exmoor by Jeremy Scott, won a novices' hurdle at Chepstow in April and has a strong chance of reproducing that form.

Justabout represents Colin Tizzard in the two miles five furlongs handicap chase. He ran 11 days ago at the track where he stayed on to finish fourth, indicating a step up in trip will be to his advantage.

Spirit of Lake is a consistent horse who was last seen at Southwell in April, where he finished third in a 15-runner handicap hurdle race.

This is his chasing debut and, with Crediton-based Karen George among the winners recently, if he takes to chasing he's one for the short list.

Fast ground suited Shalimyr when he won a maiden hurdle at Exeter two weeks ago and he's been put up 3lb for that effort in the 2m 3f handicap hurdle. Given the nature of Exeter's track, this step up in trip should hold no fears for the Philip Hobbs- trained five-year-old.

Nick Williams saddles The Real Deal, and the gelding has never run on ground faster than good to soft. But it's interesting that Williams, who has a reputation as one of the shrewdest in the business, runs him today and he could be worth taking a chance on.

Foreign King carries a 7lb penalty for his win at Exeter last week and that may not be enough to stop him in the two-mile handicap chase. He stayed on well on ground similar to today's and Jimmy Derham is on board again.

Gordon Elliot, who trains in Ireland, makes his first raid on the Devon track this year with Financialregulator and, given the trainer's record on British racecourses, he's worth noting in the betting.

He has a 36 per cent record at Newton Abbot, and Tony McCoy is booked to ride. He hasn't got the best recent form but, if there's a move in the market, connections fancy this horse to go close.

Of the others, Lesmoir looks interesting after a long lay-off. Tony Newcombe has trained a couple of decent winners on the flat recently and this horse is worth a second look. The betting will be the best indicator to his chances.

An above average bumper concludes the card and is worth watching closely for clues to future winners. Lieutenant Millar is an obvious choice, given Nicky Henderson trains him, but Paul Nicholls has a strong chance with Mr Hudson who has point-to-point experience.

Ryan Mahon is in the saddle and he booted home four winners at Bratton Down on Saturday.

At Bath, meanwhile, Lady Hestia is the best bet when she goes in the Lindley Catering Fillies' Handicap.

The Marcus Tregoning- trained five-year-old made the ideal start to her new season when winning at Doncaster earlier this month, getting up to foil Twist Again by a neck.

But that does not tell the whole story as she was value for more than the winning margin, finding trouble in running and only hitting top gear late in the day.

Winner of three of her five starts last year, she looks to have improved again and should be followed.