De Soto can lick rivals.

Byline: NEWSBOY

DE SOTO is on an upward curve over fences and gets the vote in the Blue Square Handicap Chase (3.15) at Market Rasen this afternoon.

Paul Webber's eight-year-old had a couple of runs on the Flat before taking in a handicap chase over three miles and a furlong at Bangor last month.

And the gelded son of Hernando recorded a personal best with a seven-length defeat of Mizen Raven.

The assessor has reacted to that performance by raising the selection 9lb to a chase mark of 129.

He should have no problem with the step back to an extended two and three-quarter miles - he scored over the minimum trip in his days as a novice hurdler - and De Soto is taken to win again.

The Blue Square "Prelude" Handicap Hurdle (2.05) looks wide open, but COOTEHILL looks sure to give a good account of himself.

He five-year-old has taken time to get his act together over hurdles but has enjoyed a golden summer, winning three of his last four starts.

Having taken novice events at Southwell and Stratford, Cootehill took a Listed -handicap hurdle over this course and distance in mid-July by two and a quarter lengths.

Freshened up by a 10-week break, Cootehill looks capable of making further strides and can overcome a rise in the weights.

Three from four since joining Evan Williams from John Oxx to race over hurdles, BARIZAN has plenty going for him despite multiple penalties in the Blue Square "Future Champions" Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (2.40).

The son of Kalanisi came home in a common canter when a 28-length winner at Newton Abbot last month, and Tony McCoy's mount still has more to give.

CAPTION(S):

POINTER Evan Williams