Romantic Affair rates a fascinating contender in the NGK Spark Plugs Stubbs Rates Stakes over two miles at Newmarket tomorrow.

Despite winning three times this season and running consistently well allyear, Romantic Affair is unexposed at marathon distances.

He landed some big bets when finishing fast and late to win a valuable event at Doncaster last month, needing every yard of the extended 14 furlongs to get his head in front under a determined ride from Pat Eddery.

He then finished a solid second to Kind Regards at Ascot, where the stop-start early pace and the bottomless going would not have suited his style of running.

With conditions more likely to suit here, Romantic Affair - who could be a Group-race performer next year - can return to winning ways.

Simply Gifted made a good impression on his chasing debut at Market Rasen earlier this month and can put the experience to good use in the Country and Metropolitan Homes Novices' Chase at Wetherby.

Tim Easterby's charge was a useful hurdler two seasons ago but was forced to miss the whole of the last campaign when picking up an injury.

However his trainer reported that the five-year-old had proved a natural over fences and so it proved in the main, Simply Gifted jumping with fluency for most of the contest only to tire and make a horrific blunder at the final fence which brought him to a virtual standstill.

But provided that mistake has had no ill-effects, Simply Gifted looked sure to have come on for that run and can open his account over the larger obstacles.

Another fascinating chasing newcomer is Behrajan, who is hard to oppose in the Tetley's Bitter Novices' Chase.

The Henry Daly-trained son of Arazi has always been regarded as a long-term chasing prospect despite his Flat pedigree and certainly has the size to jump a fence.

His hurdling form looks streets ahead of rivals and provided that he is fit enough for his seasonal bow, Behrajan should oblige.