This weekend is considered the calm before the punting storm, but there are some cracking races for us to get our teeth into in their own right especially the Imperial Cup, a handicap hurdle at Sandown due off at 3.15.

Most people will be eyeing up the highly progressive Regal Encore following three good runs this season which seem to suggest that he could be very well treated off a rating of 138. The cream on the cake is of course Mr AP McCoy.

On the negative side the stable aren't in good form at the moment and this is going to be a real slog through the Esher mud for such a young horse against more experienced handicappers.

I was more interested in the David Pipe stable for this, the West Country outfit being the last to achieve the Imperial Cup-Cheltenham double with Gaspara in 2007 and claim the huge winning bonus for scoring at both venues.

There is no denying that Swing Bowler ran a cracker in the Betfair Hurdle last month and could still run a huge race, but I reckon she was kept in to a certain extent to keep the weights down for stable mate Baltimore Rock.

The choice of stable jockey Tom Scudamore, this rapidly improving five-year-old beat some fair performers with consummate ease at Ludlow last time out and although this is a much better race I think the 8/1 shot is well ahead of his current mark.

Take him to beat his stable mate and the favourite with the best outsider probably being the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Little Jon.

Earlier on the Grade Three EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle Final at 2.05 once again looks a competitive event. In the past this has been won by some out and out stayers and the Henry Daly-trained Goohar fits the bill for me.

For a son of Street Cry out of a Mark of Esteem mare he stays really well and following a strong-running win over Desoto County (winner since) he looks set to relish this step up to two-and-a-half miles off his light weight.

Gone Too Far only needs to improve his jumping to be in with a shout as this test should also play to his staying strengths.

There are some fair prizes up for grabs on the all-weather surface at Wolverhampton. The Lincoln Handicap at 2.55 hasn't been a good trial for the Doncaster event, but is a nice prize in its own right and can go to Whispering Warrior

He was rather taken off his feet on his comeback run at Lingfield and this extra yardage will suit - he is also preferred to last year's winner Strictly Silver and dead heaters Sky Khan and Fashion Line.

Clockmaker can come from off the pace to land the big sprint at 4.40, while Doldrums (5.15) and Bertiewhittle in the opener at 2.20 also make some appeal.