Graham Lee misses tomorrow's Wetherby meeting in favour of riding at Warwick, where he has good chances of high-profile winners.
Last season's Grand National-winning jockey returned to the saddle at Catterick yesterday after seven weeks on the sidelines with a broken arm and, after partnering handicap chaser Lord Capitaine to finish third, reported himself to be in 'A1' condition.
Lee again joins forces with his main employer Howard Johnson at Warwick, where not the least of their excellent winning chances is Grattan Lodge in the £115,000 totesport Classic Chase.
Winner of both his races this season, Grattan Lodge is developing into a high-class staying chaser, especially effective on soft ground.
With conditions in his favour tomorrow, bookmakers are making him the ante-post favourite to complete a seasonal hat-trick.
Fashions Monty, trained at Middleham by Ferdy Murphy and the mount of Keith Mercer, could be among those to pose a danger.
Lee and Johnson have a fine chance with No Refuge in the £40,000 totesport Leamington Novices' Hurdle.
A useful winner on his first start over obstacles at Aintree, No Refuge did not jump well enough when raised in class at Sandown next time in a race won by Ladalko.
Provided he jumps properly tomorrow No Refuge will be hard to beat in a race Lee and Johnson won last year with Inglis Drever.
The trainer and jockey could score with Lennon in the Weatherbys Bank National Hunt Flat Race.
The ex-Irish gelding was an impressive winner at Musselburgh last time.
At Wetherby, Malek can gain compensation for his recent unlucky defeat on the course by winning the Rocom Handicap Chase.
Keith Reveley's charge would surely have won the Rowland Meyrick Chase at the Christmas meeting had he not fluffed the final fence when in the lead. As it was, he was narrowly beaten by Truckers Tavern.
Famous Grouse has won both his races this season since joining Peter Bowen, and this fast-improving gelding can oblige again in the £20,000 'Cream Of Mushroom' HBLB Handicap Hurdle. Seamus Durack rides Famous Grouse, who could still be one step ahead of the handicapper. He gets my Nap vote.
Tomorrow's Tips:
Wetherby
12.15 Magico, 12.45 Flight Command, 1.20 Secret Ploy, 1.55 Man Murphy, 2.30 Famous Grouse (Nap), 3.00 Malek, 3.35 Dix Huit Cyborg.
Warwick
TV races: 2.05 Celtic Son, 2.35 No Refuge, 3.10 Grattan Lodge, 3.40 Lennon.
Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Kempton and Lingfield.
Updated: 11:41 Friday, January 14, 2005
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