Paul Nicholls, forced to endure a disappointing visit to Wetherby on Saturday, is hoping for better luck at Exeter tomorrow.

The Somerset trainer saddles his star two-miler Azertyuiop in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup Chase and has high hopes that his multi-talented gelding will start off the season on a winning note.

Nicholls had similar hopes on Saturday for Valley Henry, but the odds-on favourite was a faller in the Charlie Hall Chase, his sensational departure at the 11th of the 18 fences leaving the door of oppportunity open for Ballybough Rasher to record a 40-1 success.

Mick Fitzgerald, who finished second in the Charlie Hall Chase on Marlborough, takes the ride on Azertyuiop, standing-in for the injured Ruby Walsh, who is sidelined with a fractured hip.

Last season's outstanding two-mile novice chaser, and the impressive winner of the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in March, Azertyuiop has the potential to also reign supreme in the senior ranks this winter.

He should win here, but anyone believing him to be the proverbial 'good thing' should, perhaps, remember what happened Valley Henry at Wetherby.

The promising Mount Karinga (1.40) and the highly-regarded Widemouth Bay (4.10) are also worth noting at Exeter.

At Catterick, Middlethorpe deserves respect at the course's final Flat meeting of the season.

Trained by the in-form Mick Easterby, the six-year-old ran a cracker to finish fifth to stablemate Nowell House at Ayr last month.

Give in the ground is essential to him, and with good to soft conditions forecast tomorrow, he should be in his element in the Oliver Cromwell Handicap, in which he is awarded my Nap vote.

Alice Blackthorn makes plenty of appeal in the Thomas Darley Nursery. Bryan Smart's juvenile runs here in preference to stablemate Bonne de Fleur, which is a tip in itself.

A winner last time out, Alice Blackthorn bids to emulate Bond Playboy, successful in this race last year for Smart.

In the Tote Bookmakers Handicap, also over seven furlongs, Raphael has every chance returning to the winners' circle under Kevin Darley.

Tim Easterby's four-year-old has finished runner-up on her last two starts. At her best at this distance she will be attempting to follow-up the victory of Santisima Trinidad, who won this race last season for the Easterby yard.

Also worth attention are the promising Hayhaat (12.50) and former high-class Endless Summer (3.20), who drops to claiming company.

Tomorrow's tips

CATTERICK

12.20 Tyzack, 12.50 Hayhaat, 1.20 Silverhay, 1.50 Alice Blackthorn, 2.20 Change Partners, 2.50 Raphael, 3.20 Endless Summer, 3.50 Middlethorpe (Nap).

Exeter

1.40 Mount Karinga, 2.10 Emphatic, 2.40 Azertyuiop, 3.10 Kings Castle, 3.40 Millcroft Seaspray, 4.10 Widemouth Bay.

FOLKESTONE

1.00 Researcher, 1.30 Trusting Paddy, 2.00 Spring Lover, 2.30 Boring Goring, 3.00 Momentous Jones, 3.30 Just Reuben, 4.00 Flying Falcon.

There are no other meetings tomorrow.

Tom O'Ryan's Nap for this afternoon's racing was: Viewforth (2.40 at Redcar).

Updated: 12:29 Monday, November 03, 2003