Champion jockey Kieren Fallon returns to action for the first time in Britain this year at Lingfield tomorrow.
The unexpected reappearance of the former North Yorkshire-based jockey is a result of him cutting short his winter stint in Dubai, where he was riding for Allan Smith.
Fallon, who will be bidding to gain his seventh jockeys' title when the turf season opens at Doncaster next month, has three mounts on the Surrey track, including two for trainer Mark Wallace, with whom he had a successful occasional partnership last term.
Big Bad Burt will be Fallon's first mount, in the Bet Direct On Sky Active Handicap. This three-year-old, with a recent respectable effort under his belt, could provide him with a comeback winner.
It would hardly be a surprise either to see Fallon score on Limit Down in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Selling Stakes. Although a pretty limited performer, the three-year-old has shown enough to suggest a bold bid is forthcoming in this poor event.
Hip Hop Harry, trained by Ed Dunlop, provides Fallon with a third mount on the card, but, sound enough chance though this previous course winner has, the looming threat of Fall In Line hangs over him.
Sir Mark Prescott's in-form gelding, with three quick wins under his belt, was due to run at Southwell this afternoon in advance of turning out again at Lingfield.
Whatever Fallon's fortunes at Lingfield, Peter Chapple-Hyam is also seeking a happy homecoming.
The Classic-winning trainer, formerly based at Manton, where he enjoyed a successful association with Robert Sangster, has been in Hong Kong for the last few years.
But he is now back training at Newmarket, and Toronto Heights bids to give him his first winner since his return in the betdirect.co.uk Maiden Stakes.
A good second on this course recently, Toronto Heights is napped to go one better in the hands of Jimmy Quinn.
Robert Miles, seen to good effect on well-backed winner Badou at Wolverhampton yesterday, can further add to his tally tomorrow.
The 3lb claimer boasts good prospects on Answered Promise in the Bet Direct Handicap, which opens the programme.
Tomorrow's Newcastle meeting promises gruelling conditions, with heavy ground. There will be a precautionary inspection at 7.30am.
Martin Todhunter will be hoping the green light is given because he has found another good opportunity for All Sonsilver in the Chisholm Bookmakers' Scarborough Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old was one on Todhunter's three winners at the last Newcastle meeting when he scored by a length from June's River. He can follow up tomorrow.
Wednesday's tips:
Lingfield
1.10 Answered Promise, 1.40 Toronto Heights (Nap), 2.10 Mr Spliffy, 2.40 Big Bad Burt, 3.10 Fleeting Moon, 3.40 Dance On The Top, 4.10 Limit Down, 4.40 Fall In Line.
Newcastle (inspection 7.30am)
1.20 Flight Command, 1.50 Grattan Lodge, 2.20 Spider Music, 2.50 Mexican, 3.20 The Maserati Kid, 3.50 Champagne Lou Lou, 4.20 All Sonsilver.
Tomorrow's other meeting at Leicester has been abandoned (course waterlogged).
Updated: 12:15 Tuesday, February 03, 2004
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