Turf Talk: Mythical Madness can make most of recent ratings slide

David O’Meara’s charge has been in a barren spell since winning on the turf at Haydock back in June, a victory that pushed him up to a mark of 101 which has plainly proved beyond him so far.

However, the seven-year-old’s lack of a victory means he has dropped a bit in the handicap and he lines up here off a mark of 94, which could prove quite generous as he has won off 3lb higher in the past.

He could well have been more competitive off this perch at Wolverhampton last time, but a slow start put him on the back foot and he probably deserves a bit more credit than first appears for his two-and-three-quarter-length defeat.

Mythical Madness switches back up to 10 furlongs here and he should be in the mix.

Lady Noorah is of plenty of interest as she lines up in the 32Red.com Fillies’ Handicap.

Richard Fahey’s charge is making a first start in the handicap ranks here and a mark of 72 looks fair on her three efforts to date.

Beaten just a neck in a Wolverhampton novice heat before Christmas she was a bit keen when third on her first attempt over a mile last time, but if she settles better here, a mark of 72 looks a healthy starting point.

Mosseyb can make the most of a move back to Polytrack in the 32Red.com Novice Stakes.

He shaped with promise despite his evident greenness when third on his initial outing at this track, but Newcastle did not seem to bring out the best in him last time and he is worth another chance.

Spun Gold is on a roll and can keep up the good work in the 32Red Handicap at Kempton.

The four-year-old has won his last two starts at Southwell and while it would be easy to point to the Fibresand surface as being the making of him, it must also be noted that his two wins also coincided with the application of a tongue tie and blinkers.

Given those factors and his recent fine form, Spun Gold is worth a shout here.

Reigning Supreme made a bit of a false start to his career over fences but he can get his campaign back on track in the Smarkets Novices’ Chase at Exeter.

The seven-year-old was handy over hurdles, winning twice, so it was no surprise to see him sent off favourite on his chasing bow at Kempton on Boxing Day.

However, after turning in a decent round of jumping, he got the fourth-last wrong and unshipped Nico de Boinville, but he certainly looked more than capable of taking a hand in the finish up until that point.

Nicky Henderson is sure to have spent some time on the schooling ground and Reigning Supreme should be wiser for the experience here.

Sydney De Baune should appreciate a drop back in trip for the Smarkets Handicap Chase.

He seemingly found two miles and seven furlongs beyond him when third at Taunton last time, making a few jumping errors as he tired on the final circuit.

A half-mile switch back in distance should be in his favour.

Middlebrow has won two of his three starts over fences this term and he can further enhance those statistics in the Watch Racing UK Anywhere Chase at Catterick.

A 10-length victory over this course and distance in November looked quite promising, but he was brought down back at that track next time when still travelling.

The experience clearly did not affect his confidence, though, as he bounced back with a cosy win at Musselburgh at the start of the month, appearing to have more in hand than official margin of three and a half lengths.

The handicapper has hiked him 6lb for that win, but Middlebrow may still be well treated.

TURF TALK TIPS

CATTERICK: 1.20 Pastoral Music, 1.55 Rancher Lass, 2.30 Silva Eclipse, 3.00 Middlebrow, 3.35 Optimus Prime, 4.05 Notebook.

EXETER: 1.40 Undefined Beauty, 2.15 Shalakar, 2.50 Sydney De Baune, 3.20 Reigning Supreme (next best), 3.55 Coningsby, 4.25 Norse Light.

KEMPTON: 4.40 Dalness Express, 5.15 Duba Plains, 5.45 Holy Shambles, 6.15 Golden Image, 6.45 Magic Mirror, 7.15 Spun Gold, 7.45 Deeley’s Double.

LINGFIELD: 1.00 Lady Noorah (treble), 1.30 Lilbourne Star, 2.05 Accomplice, 2.40 Caracas, 3.10 MYTHICAL MADNESS (NAP), 3.45 Mosseyb, 4.15 Rising Sunshine.