Failing to extend their run of successive league titles into a fourth season was more disappointing than heartbreaking for Houston promoter George Seymour. What was painful however is that the club didn’t win any silverware at all in SL36, having picked up six major trophies in the previous three seasons. A rebuild of sorts has brought a fresh look to those who will grace The Range this season, a venue the Mustangs have gone 50 league meetings without defeat. With the form that the top four put together by Seymour have shown in pre-season, that sequence looks likely to be extended far into the future, especially given the scoring of the fifth rider in his top five, 19 year old Eirki Lauridsen, who certainly seems to prefer home shale to that on less familiar circuits. It’s the smart signing of David Natali by Seymour that has made the most difference, the Italian—a WU21 Champion over a decade ago—has plenty of division one experience, but also averaged a figure just shy of ten in his latest period away from the top flight, a ten meeting spell at Bolsover last season. He arrives on a GSA of just 7.42 though, an average that sees him slot in nicely at second string where he’s certain to excel. And it’s so far so good, he averaging in double figures over the course of the four warm-up fixtures to date, plus he scored a maximum on his debut for Houston against his old club. Both Harry Sloan and Branmir Klepp return once more with the Mustangs—they’ve been there since their inaugural season in division three back in SL26—while the top four is completed by another new signing, Michal Matusovic. It’s a side that look built for success, on paper at least.