My Timeform: Three horses to be positive about

Ted Le Saux (Timeform rating 83p)

Runner-up, 1¼m novice, Lingfield, Tuesday 2 December

Ted le Saux is a half-brother to three winners, including the smart stayer Nate The Great, and he shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up on his debut at Lingfield. The winner, Banyan, was sent off at a very short price having finished runner-up in a Newmarket novice on debut, but her supporters were given a scare by Ted le Saux who threw down a strong challenge entering the home straight and was upsides entering the final furlong. Banyan pulled out a bit extra to score by three-quarters of a length, but Ted le Saux was nine lengths clear of the remainder and looks up to winning a similar event, particularly as he's entitled to improve for the initial experience.

Fifty Nifty (93+)

Fifth, 6f handicap, Kempton, Wednesday 3 December

Fifty Nifty had shaped much better than the bare result when sixth in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on his penultimate start and he again ran promisingly when fifth at Kempton. Fifty Nifty, who was fitted with cheekpieces and had the hood removed, took a strong hold on his first attempt at sprinting but made good headway early in the straight and looked like he could get competitive over a furlong out. He was short of room and badly hampered inside the final furlong, which prevented him from landing a blow, but he showed enough to suggest that he's one to be interested in off his reduced mark after only a few starts for Mick Appleby.

Kdeux Saint Fray (c130)

Runner-up, 2½m novice handicap chase, Aintree, Saturday 6 December

Kdeux Saint Fray was unable to follow up his win at Cheltenham last month but he gave another good account of himself at Aintree and was beaten only by a chasing debutant who took really well to the task. Kdeux Saint Fray was left behind by the winner from two out but he stuck to his task to finish seven lengths clear of the third, improving on the form he had shown when winning at Cheltenham and still looking ahead of his mark. His sound jumping was a pleasing aspect of his performance at Aintree and he's likely to carry on progressing over fences.