The Flat turf season may be up and running, but you wouldn't know it by tomorrow's fixtures, which are designed to accommodate jumping fans only.
The three scheduled meetings are all under National Hunt Rules - not that Mick Easterby will be bothered.
The versatile Sheriff Hutton trainer, strongly represented in today's Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster by Blue Spinnaker, is equally at home training jumpers and he can make his mark at Market Rasen, courtesy of nap selection Cottam Grange and Tickton Flyer.
The latter makes a belated seasonal debut in the Brian G Duke Builders Beginners' Chase and can take advantage of a modest line-up.
A winner over hurdles last term, the seven-year-old is unlikely to fail on the score of fitness, despite his long absence.
Cottam Grange goes for the Horserace Betting Levy Board Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles and looks sure to play a hand in the finish.
The five-year-old was beaten little more than two lengths into fourth place at Huntingdon last time when racing over an inadequate two miles.
Back over a more suitable distance tomorrow, he can gain an overdue success in the hands of Tom Greenall.
Jaffa, who goes well on this course, may not require much more than a squeeze (forgive the pun) to get home in front in the 9 Hole Pay & Play Golf Course Handicap Chase.
Although now a teenager in the twilight of his career, he ran a blinder to finish a two-lengths second to Compton Amica on his reappearance at Leicester in mid-February. He would not need to improve much on that form to go one better here.
At Kelso, Tony Dobbin looks poised to enjoy a share of the limelight.
The crack Cumbrian jockey begins the afternoon with a potential winning mount aboard Wild Cane Ridge in the Discover Scottish Racing Novices' Hurdle (division one).
Len Lungo's smart six-year-old was well beaten by Mephisto in a Grade 2 race at Haydock last time, but he faces a much lesser task here and his proven class should see him through before he is put away for the summer before preparing for a chasing campaign next season.
Dobbin should also enjoy a good ride aboard Westmeath Flyer, winner of both his races this season, in the totesport.com Handicap Hurdle.
Tyneside trainer Pauline Robson can hit the target with Harrovian, a previous course-and-distance winner, in the Kelso Golf Club Novices' Chase, while Lord Capitaine, looks to have good prospects in the Royal Navy & Royal Marine Club Handicap Chase.
Winner of two of his four starts this season, Howard Johnson's gelding finished third to Time To Reflect at Catterick last time.
Tomorrow's longer trip, plus the short break he has since to freshen-up, may enable him to regain the winning thread in this £12,000 event.
Sunday's tips:
Market Rasen
2-20 Barneys Reflection, 2-50 Iron Man, 3-20 Tickton Flyer, 3-50 Cottam Grange (NAP), 4-20 Jaffa, 4-50 Mister Friday, 5-20 Attitude
Kelso
2-00 Wild Cane Ridge, 2-30 Harrovian, 3-00 Andre Chenier, 3-30 Lord Capitaine, 4-00 Westmeath Flyer, 4-30 Lord O'All Seasons, 5-00 Topanberry
Tomorrow's other meeting is at Wincanton.
Updated: 08:58 Saturday, April 02, 2005
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