Hussard Collonges and Altay, two of the most exciting jumpers in Ryedale, head to different parts of the country tomorrow in a bid to stake an early-season claim in £50,000 races.

Hussard Collonges, trained by Peter Beaumont, travels to Haydock for the Edward Hanmer Memorial Handicap Chase, while Altay journeys from Richard Fahey's Malton yard to Cheltenham for the Greatwood Hurdle.

A Cheltenham Festival winner two seasons ago, Hussard Collonges failed to get his head in front last term, but ran some sterling races in defeat before a below-par effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which was probably down to a respiratory infection, which was troubling some of the Beamont horses at that time.

Hussard Collonges remains a horse of great potential and Beaumont is optimistic that he will develop once again into a live Gold Cup contender this season.

In opposition tomorrow is Kingsmark, winner of this race for the last three races, and Chives, who finished runner-up in it 12 months ago.

Hussard Collonges can hardly be expected to be 100 per cent fit for his reappearance but, as his two main rivals are also coming to the table without a previous outing this season, he can be expected to put up a bold show. Russ Garritty, as usual, has the mount.

Further south, all eyes will be on Altay in the feature race at Cheltenham.

Fahey is hoping that the gelding will develop into a Champion Hurdle hope this season and, if that is to be borne out, he will need to shape well here.

A most progressive horse last term, which ended with a win in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May, Altay has bags of scope and plenty of pace. He should give Padge Whelan a great ride in a competitive race.

Remaining at Cheltenham, Sue Smith's recent Carlisle winner, Diceman, should give a good account of himself in the Betfair Handicap Chase, while Le Duc, who got off the mark over fences at Wetherby at the beginning of the month, has every chance of following up in the valuable Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase.

At Haydock, Norton trainer James Hetherton, who clearly has Tyndarius in good nick, can register another success from his recent Haydock scorer in the betdirect.co.uk Handicap Chase.

The well-regarded Full Minty (1-10) and prolific winner Feel The Pride (2-15) are also worth noting at the Lancashire course.

To complete an action-packed day for jumping enthusiasts, there is also a cracking card at Ayr, where recent winner Our Armageddon takes on the hugely-talented newcomer to fences Brooklyn Breeze, a useful hurdler, in an intruiging battle for the Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore Novices' Chase.

Brooklyn Breeze, unbeaten last season, is taken to have the edge over his talented rival, though there shouldn't be much to choose between them.

To save the nap selection until last, Monet's Garden, unbeaten in two starts, should not be troubled to complete a hat-trick in the topjobs.co.uk Novices' Hurdle.

Tomorrow's tips

Haydock

12-35 Breknen Le Noir, 1-10 Full Minty, 1-45 Tyndarius, 2-15 Feel The Pride, 2-50 Hussard Collonges, 3-25 Lord Dundaniel, 3-55 Provocative.

Cheltenham

12-55 Jollyolly, 1-30 East Tycoon, 2-05 Le Duc, 2-40 Altay, 3-15 Diceman, 3-50 The Posh Paddy.

Ayr

12-15 Rocket Bleu; 12-45 Brooklyn Breeze; 1-20 Monet's Garden (NAP); 1-55 Log On Intersky; 2-30 October Mist; 3-05 Dream On Willie; 3-40 Mr Auchterlonie.

Updated: 12:21 Saturday, November 15, 2003