Purchased for 25,000 guineas last autumn after failing to win in eight starts for Donnacha O'Brien, First Emperor is now two from four for John Ryan.
A winner off a perch of 72 at Lingfield in January, he defied a 5lb rise to follow up at Kempton four days later before the handicapper had chance to have his say.
He as duly raised to a mark of 82 and he did himself few favours when racing keenly off that revised perch, eventually having to settle for a conclusive second behind the useful Fleurman.
If he can race with a little more restraint this time, with cover hopefully easier to find in this bigger field rather than that four-runner affair, First Emperor can oblige again for connections.
Danger Alert can reverse recent Lingfield form with Celtic Champion in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap.
Having recorded a first career success at Wolverhampton, Danger Alert then found Celtic Champion just under a length too good off level weights over six furlongs.
Danger Alert's chances were hardly helped as he was carried right across the track, before hanging back left, and a 2lb swing can help him come out on top.
Chantico can make a victorious return to action in the Huge Daily Boosts Only At BetUK Novice Stakes at Lingfield.
The four-year-old ran twice on the turf last year, not making his racecourse bow until September when he ran a creditable third over a mile, making late gains to be beaten just over three lengths.
Roger Varian then sent him to Epsom, where he bumped into Nobel, who benefitted from a canny front-running ride to win impressively, with Chantico struggling to make inroads off what was only a steady pace.
His pedigree suggests longer trips will be his forte in time, but in the interim he can shine over this 10 furlongs.
Forge Valley Lad is on a roll and the hat-trick could be within his grasp in the Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap.
Jamie Spencer has delivered him with two well-timed challenges on his last two starts, registering a half-length verdict over 10 furlongs at this track at the beginning of February before following up over a mile and a half at the end of the month.
Forge Valley Lad shrugged off a 2lb rise on that second occasion and while he did not find quite as much as expected off the bridle, he still prevailed and must now deal with a further 3lb hike.
Western Safire impressed on her debut over obstacles and looks the obvious pick in the Mrs Todd's Birthday Celebrations Start Today Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Catterick.
Placed in one of two bumper starts for Martin Keighley, Western Safire then transferred to Laura Morgan's care and made a splash on her first spin for the yard, triumphing by five and a half lengths after making all the running.
She was clearly a cut above that day and is more than capable of going in again under her winner's penalty.
Lifetime Legend struck gold at Catterick last week, with a follow up in the Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell not ruled out.
He won a rather moderate affair in the hands of Bryony Frost, but the application of a hood certainly seemed to have the desired effect as he opened his account at the 22nd time of asking.
A repeat of the form of that seven-length victory would likely be good enough.
SELECTIONS:
CATTERICK: 1.20 Thomas Darby, 1.50 Bashful, 2.20 Western Safire, 2.50 Ribeye, 3.20 Hajey, 3.50 Hermann Clermont, 4.20 Qusaresome.
FONTWELL: 1.40 Fabrique En France, 2.10 Sam's Amour, 2.40 Flintara, 3.10 Lifetime Legend, 3.40 Letsbe Avenue, 4.10 Sound And Fury, 4.40 Sami Bear.
KEMPTON: 3.05 Gorak, 3.35 Edge Of Ember, 4.05 Tipperary Moon, 4.35 Danger Alert, 5.05 FIRST EMPEROR (NAP), 5.35 Airshow.
LINGFIELD: 2.00 Fox Flame, 2.30 Forge Valley Lad, 3.00 Baroque Star, 3.30 Chantico, 4.00 Defence Treaty, 4.30 Divine Messenger, 5.00 Triggered.
DOUBLE: First Emperor and Western Safire.
