Faasel, bought for a princely 230,000 guineas at last autumn's sales as a potential jumper, puts his newly-learned skills on the line for the first time at Kelso tomorrow.

The four-year-old makes his debut in the Borders M.S. Racing Club Novices' Hurdle, with Tony Dobbin in the saddle.

Previously trained in Ireland by Kevin Prendergast, for whom he won five races including three handicaps last year, Faasel is now trained in Cumbria by Nicky Richards for long-standing owner Jim Ennis.

Richards has been well pleased with the way his recruit has settled and how he has schooled over obstacles. The big test comes in public tomorrow as he bids to make a winning debut. On the balance of his Flat form he is not one to seriously oppose.

Harrovian is napped in the Bedmax Handicap Chase to defy the 7lb penalty he received for winning at Musselburgh last week.

Pauline Robson's gelding scooted home by 14 lengths on his latest start and should be difficult to beat on his handicap debut.

In the £12,000 Weatherbys Insurance Morebattle Handicap Hurdle, Honest Endeavour should make a bold bid for Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson.

Winner of his first two races this season, Honest Endavour came unstuck at Market Rasen last time but might have succeeded had he jumped more cleanly over the last couple of hurdles. He is still learning, though, and has the scope to progress.

On the Polytrack at Wolverhampton, Orpen Wide can complete a hat-trick of wins by taking the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap over six furlongs.

Trained at Market Rasen by Michael Chapman for owner Sir Clement Freud, Orpen Wide has shown startling improvement since being gelded, winning his last two starts on Southwell's Fibresand track.

He has now to show his ability on Wolverhampton's quicker surface, but such is the size of his confidence at present that Orpen Wide can probably win again.

Philip Makin, attached to David Barron's Thirsk stable, reduces the three-year-old's weight by a valuable 3lb.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Kelso

1.10 Faasel, 1.40 Toulon Rouge, 2.10 Master Sebastian, 2.40 Harrovian (Nap), 3.10 Honest Endeavour, 3.40 Lauderdale.

Wolverhampton

1.20 Orpen Wide, 1.50 Molly's Secret, 2.20 Champoluc, 2.50 Green Pirate, 3.20 Fiveoclock Express, 3.50 Larad, 4.20 Plausabelle, 4.50 Flaming Eyes.

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Huntingdon.

Updated: 11:22 Thursday, January 13, 2005