TAKE Gardie Grissell's unbeaten novice Maximus to maintain his winning run at Fontwell Park tomorrow.

The six-year-old gelding has won his two starts to date over hurdles in the manner of an improving performer.

Successful in a point-to-point last year, Maximus made his hurdling debut at Plumpton in January and scored in nice style despite running green in theclosing stages.

He was pushed out to beat subsequent winner Golden Eye by four lengths that day, and he stepped up on that effort at Newbury next time.

Relishing the very soft conditions, Maximus led approaching the fourth-last flight and, kept up to his work by Ben Hitchcott, ran on strongly to beat Michel De Moeurs by two lengths.

Maximus is clearly going the right way and he is made the nap to complete his three-timer on his favoured soft ground in the Fontwell Park Picnic Parking 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle tomorrow.

And victory would see him book his ticket for the rescheduled Cheltenham Festival next month with connections considering either the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle or the Coral Cup.

Josh Gifford's runners at the Sussex track always command respect and Bassano can boost the Findon trainer's tally at the course with victory in the Mandy Sheppard Maiden Chase.

Bassano put up an encouraging performance on his chasing debut in a handicap at Leicester last month.

Carrying top weight, the seven-year-old held every chance until becoming outpaced approaching the penultimate fence. In the end he finished eight lengths second to Sissinghurst Flyer with the third, Burnt Imp, 13 lengths away.

Sissinghurst Flyer scored in good style at Market Rasen last Saturday so the form looks pretty solid.

Bassano's task appears less difficult tomorrow and he is taken to open his account over fences.