Racing preview for December 31

The five-year-old has done all of his winning over five and six furlongs but his efforts in defeat suggest that his seven-furlong trip is well within his compass.

David Evans is the fourth trainer to have a crack with this son of Pastoral Pursuits and he has managed to somewhat restore his fortunes with three wins in 2015 after a lengthy barren spell.

Successful at Wolverhampton and Newbury in June, Archie Stevens has been campaigned sparingly of late with an all-weather campaign clearly on connections’ minds.

An initial outing at Dunstall Park yielded third but he showed the benefit of that run when dropping back to the minimum trip to run out a length-and-a-half winner just before Christmas after making every yard.

He must shoulder a penalty here but he is in form and gets on especially well with 3lb claimer Philip Prince.

Figurante showed plenty of promise on her racecourse bow at Windsor back in August and should find the 32Red.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes an eminently winnable event.

The Excellent Art filly looks decent enough after dead-heating for second and finishing behind more experience rivals at the Thamesside venue.

She never really looked like winning over six furlongs that day but the way she kept on suggests a switch up to seven furlongs here should be in her favour.

Conversely, Mostashreqah should thrive for a move back in distance in the 32Red Casino Nursery Handicap.

A winner over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton last month, she found a mile beyond her at Kempton on her latest start.

Simon Crisford reverts to her winning trip here and Mostashreqah makes plenty of appeal, even off top weight.

Gamain appears to be on a workable mark ahead of the Local Parking Security Ltd Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Warwick.

A point to point winner in January 2014, Gamain has struggled to find his feet a bit under Rules, but he remains a horse with some, if limited, potential.

A hurdles winner at Huntingdon back in March, Gamain has yet to get his head in front in two starts over the bigger obstacles, although he made significant strides between those outings.

Beaten 14 lengths at Towcester, he stuck on well at the finish and his proven ability to handle testing ground is a massive plus.

Monetary Fund can strike for Venetia Williams in the Local Parking Security Ltd Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle after a useful recent effort.

Whitsundays won an average event at Sedgefield at the beginning of the month so his confidence should be riding high ahead of the Derek Fower Transport Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter.

Goohar can put a lacklustre effort last time well behind him with victory in the Town Electrical Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

* Selections

LINGFIELD: 12.30 Ghost Train, 1.00 Mostashreqah, 1.30 Figurante, 2.00 Captain Lars, 2.30 ARCHIE STEVENS (NAP), 3.00 Top Cop, 3.30 Justice First.

PUNCHESTOWN: 12.05 Montys Meadow, 12.35 Rolling Rocket, 1.05 Diamond King, 1.35 King Of Aragon, 2.05 Jetstream Jack, 2.35 Oscar Sam, 3.05 Skellig Rocks, 3.35 Black Franks Angel.

UTTOXETER: 12.20 Alberta, 12.50 Barista, 1.20 Whitsundays, 1.50 Over My Head, 2.20 Goohar, 2.50 Rouquine Sauvage, 3.20 Double Miss.

WARWICK: 12.40 Solidago, 1.10 Monetary Fund, 1.40 Gamain, 2.10 Cyrien Star, 2.40 Clemency, 3.10 Eaton Rock, 3.40 Canton Prince.

DOUBLE: Archie Stevens and Figuarante.