Luca Cumani will not have many runners on the all-weather during the winter but those that do turn warrant very close consideration.

Incarnation looks a typical Cumani improver. A three-year-old filly who showed a modicum of ability in her first three starts, she made virtually all in her last race at Great Leighs.

She returns to the Essex venue for the Potton Island Handicap over one mile and five furlongs tomorrow.

It is her first attempt at the trip but it is not expected to prove too much of a problem.

Admittedly, her last victory may have been over only 10 furlongs but she did race over a mile and a half the time before that and it was not necessarily a lack of stamina that beat her.

Given the fact that her confidence will be high and there should be improvement to come she can keep progressing.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's Timeless Dream is another that warrants close consideration in the Virley Channel Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

After making her debut in a hot Newmarket maiden connections would not have held out much hope for the future as she trailed in 14th of 17.

However, with her sights lowered at Redcar last time she showed masses of improvement, finishing a neck second to Mythicism.

That was over six furlongs, the same as this contest, and as Chapple-Hyam has moved to secure the services of Jamie Spencer a big run is obviously anticipated.

Donald McCain was mystified by the performance of Fabalu at Hexham last time, even though he was second.

McCain thinks so highly of the six-year-old, who ran a cracker on his debut for the stable at Aintree, that his defeat to Howard Johnson's Calin Royal left him scratching his head.

But he has urged punters not to give up on the former pointer and he is worth one more chance in the A.J. Glassfibre 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Venetia Williams has kept faith with Sam Thomas and trusts him to ride former smart hurdler Lightning Strike on his first start over fences in the weatherbysshop.co.uk Beginners' Chase at Wincanton.

The five-year-old was decent on the level and won a Grade Two over timber so if he takes to this game he could be special.

Williams has had him entered up all over recently but it is interesting she has plumped for this race.

Henry Daly's Sherbet Lemon looks the pick in the Leicester Juvenile Fillies' Novices' Hurdle at the Midlands venue.

Whenever Daly enlists Richard Johnson's help it is usually a sign that a big run is anticipated and that is the case for this three-year-old.

For all of Thursday's racecards get your copy of the Western Daily Press.