General Gossip can let his galloping prowess do the talking at Warwick tomorrow as he bids to defy top-weight in the Crudwell Cup Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old, trained by Richard Phillips, runs in this three miles and five furlongs event instead of contesting a tempting option at Ayr today and the hint should be taken.

General Gossip goes to Warwick in great form, following a wide-margin win at Newcastle on his latest start when he justified favouritism by 19 lengths from Toulon Rouge.

Progressing along the right lines, General Gossip can oblige again tomorrow in the hands of Warren Marston.

Woodlands Genpower, already a winner on the course this season, boasts strong claims in the Racing UK Novices' Hurdle, and is awarded my Nap vote.

A strong, powerful galloper, the seven-year-old also stays very well and will consequently be in his element over this extended three miles.

Woodlands Genpower was beaten by two speedier horses on this track on his latest outing, where his jumping proved to be a little slipshod. Capable of better, he can gallop his rivals into submission tomorrow.

Trainer Robin Dickin has good prospects of landing a double with Bill Brown and Change Agent.

The former goes for the Welcome To Irish Day Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle and has every chance of returning to the winning trail after racing too freely for his own good at Haydock last time. Previously successful at Hereford, he has solid claims.

Change Agent lines-up for the Birse Rail Novices' Handicap Chase following a 22 lengths win at Kempton on his latest start.

There appeared to be no fluke about that all-the-way success and, if in the same sort of form, a 7lb penalty is unlikely to be enough to halt his progress tomorrow.

Former Malton-based trainer Colin Tinkler has been denied the chance of Cheltenham glory next week with Oscar Park, who has met with a setback and will miss the Champion Bumper.

Tinkler, now training from Compton in Berkshire, has his horses in good form nevertheless and he could well figure on the scoresheet tomorrow with Shuil Bob in the Ken Bridgewater Memorial Mares' Only National Hunt Flat Race.

There is nothing on paper to recommend Shuil Bob, as she has yet to race, but she is a well-related mare, who has the pedigree to do well. Andrew Tinkler, the trainer's jockey-son, has the mount on this interesting newcomer.

Tomorrow's only other action comes from Wolverhampton's Flat meeting, which is a banded fixture, which means limited prize money is put up for horses of limited ability.

Such factors do no make finding winners any easier - indeed, banded races are as competitive as any around - but Norton trainer Linda Stubbs will be hoping for a change of luck with Pagan Storm in the Bet Direct Apprentice Stakes.

The five-year-old has been running well lately, finishing runner-up in his last two races. His winning turn is overdue. The trainer's daughter, Kristin Stubbs will be in the saddle.

Tropical Son (3.50), another horse who has been knocking on the door lately is also worthy of note in the hands of Simon Whitworth, while Fulvio (4.20), trained by the canny Stuart Williams, is taken to follow-up his recent Lingfield success.

Sunday's tips:

Warwick

2.00 Bill Brown, 2.30 Woodlands Genpower (Nap), 3.00 Change Agent, 3.30 General Gossip, 4.00 Hopbine, 4.30 Next To Nothing, 5.00 Shuil Bob.

Wolverhampton

2.20 Little Richard, 2.50 Cooleycall Star, 3.20 Heathyards Blessing, 3.50 Tropical Son, 4.20 Fulvio, 4.50 Pagan Storm.

There are no other race meetings tomorrow.

Updated: 10:26 Saturday, March 12, 2005