AFTER a whole host of Classic trials this week, it's back to bread-and-butter fare tomorrow with Flat racing conspicuous by its absence, and the daily diet confined to three jumping fixtures.

Nicky Richards is always a man to have on your side at his local Carlisle course and the Greystoke trainer is fancied to make his presence felt with Mazzareme in the second leg of the News & Star Open National Hunt Flat Race.

A half-brother to useful chaser Claymore, Mazzareme shaped really well in a similar race on this course last month when making his racecourse debut. Partnered by an inexperienced claimer, the six-year-old stayed on well to finish third to Stagecoachsapphire.

That experience should not have been wasted on Mazzareme, who is napped to elevate himself to first place tomorrow.

Pauline Robson, a top lady rider, is now making quite a name for herself as a trainer and the Northumberland handler is taken to capture the News & Star Family Day Handicap Chase with Hallrule.

A dual-winner of point-to-points, Hallrule won a modest race under rules at Hexham last time and looks like a horse to keep on the right side. He figures on a handy weight here and will have the services of the in-form Richard McGrath.

Cottam Grange is no world-beater, but Mick Easterby's charge has shown enough this season to suggest he will run a big race in the Viacom Novices' Handicap Hurdle. Also worth noting is Wet Lips, who has run a decent race in defeat since scoring at Musselburgh.

At Wincanton, Inigo Jones will not be short of supporters in the Bathwick Tyres, Salisbury Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old has been in fine form recently, winning his last two races. A hat-trick is on the cards for Paul Flynn's mount.

Crossbows Creek, who has been performing consistently of late, has good prospects in the Bathwick Tyres Novices' Hurdle, while Elenas River, a wide-margin winner at Ascot last time, has an excellent opportunity of following-up in the same sponsors novices' chase.

The feature race at Stratford is the £15,000 Jenkinsons Caterers Handicap Chase over two-and-a-half miles.

Spring Grove represents the Robert Alner stable and Andrew Thornton's mount, a good third to Bee An Bee in a competitive race over three miles at Newbury last time, should give his supporters a good run for their money, despite having to carry top-weight.

Red Ruffles, who gained his second success of the campaign at Doncaster last month, has good prospects of making it three in the Racecourse Video Services Novices' Hurdle.

Noel Chance's gelding had nine lengths to spare over Jack Martin on his latest outing and looks like a horse on the upgrade.

Also worth considering are The Granby (4-45), a former useful performer with Mary Reveley, and Maniatis (5-20), who is overdue a return to the winners' circle.

Updated: 11:36 Saturday, April 17, 2004