Jake Black, a runaway winner at Wetherby last Friday, heads across the Pennines in a bid to complete a quick double at Haydock tomorrow.

The Littlewoods Bet Direct Supports Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle is the target for John Quinn's gelding, who will again be partnered by Russ Garritty.

A York winner in late summer, Jake Black is nothing if not versatile, having proved his effectiveness on the Flat and over hurdles in a matter of months. Soon, he will bid to complete the 'full set', as Quinn is pondering the possibility of switching the four-year-old to fences in the not-to-distant future.

Meanwhile, Jake Black can bag another hurdling prize tomorrow. His Wetherby victory was achieved by 23 lengths, which confirmed his well-being. A 7lb penalty hardly looks enough to anchor him here.

Colonel Frank looks capable of defying top-weight in the Harvey Jones Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.

An easy winner at Fontwell last season, Brendan Powell's gelding finished second to Onway at Worcester last month on his reappearance. He should strip fitter now as a result of that outing and can give Joe Tizzard a winning ride.

Len Lungo has yet to start firing on all cylinders, but the Dumfries trainer has plenty of ammunition to call on, and his exciting prospect Villon should not be overlooked in the totesport.com National Hunt Flat Race.

Winner of his only race last season, Villon is held in high regard by Lungo, and looks the type of horse to make a big name for himself this winter. Tony Dobbin has the mount.

Also worthy of attention at Haydock are the promising Meggie's Lad (1.35) and the useful, if lightly-raced Soroka (2.05).

Nottingham stages a typical back-end Flat card, with big fields in all except the IbetX.com - The Punters Choice Conditions Stakes over a mile.

Quito could be the solution here. Trained at Stillington by David Chapman, the talented seven-year-old, who has to be held up and therefore needs things to drop right for him, has not enjoyed the rub of the green in recent races. That said, he has shaped plenty well enough to say he is in as good form now as he's been in all season.

Provided the pace of the race is strong and Tony Culhane can get him covered-up early on, Quito should take all the beating.

Culhane can also have a say in the outcome of the BHB/RCA Season Finale Lunch Nursery over five furlongs aboard Benny The Bus.

Geraldine Rees's two-year-old was narrowly beaten at Catterick last time, which was improved form. The penny may now have dropped with him and further progress could well be in the pipeline.

Hidden Jewel (1.25) and Tagula Blue (3.00) also merit respect on a tricky programme. The latter, quirky, but talented, is awarded my Nap vote to get it right on a course where he has been successful in the past.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Haydock

1.05 Greek Star, 1.35 Meggie's Lad, 2.05 Soroka, 2.40 Jake Black, 3.15 Colonel Frank, 3.45 Va Vavoom, 4.15 Villon.

Nottingham

1.25 Hidden Jewel, 1.55 Benny The Bus, 2.25 Crete, 3.00 Tagula Blue (NAP), 3.35 Quito, 4.05 Time To Regret

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Towcester and Wolverhampton.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, November 03, 2004