A week that embraced the best that jump-racing could offer, and spotlighted the talents of such outstanding stars as Moscow Flyer, Rooster Booster, and yesterday's heroes, Baracouda and the brilliant Gold Cup winner Best Mate, ends tomorrow with a Grand National at Uttoxeter and a Derby at Lingfield.

The £60,000 Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby is the thrilling climax of the all-weather Flat campaign before the focus switches back to turf racing next week.

Adiemus, winner of this richly-endowed event 12 months ago, has excellent prospects of achieving an encore for trainer Jeremy Noseda and jockey Shane Kelly.

Sidelined for the remainder of the year with injury after just being touched-off in last season's Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, Adiemus has since run two promise-filled races on this Polytrack course.

Runner-up to Kirovski, and a close-up third to Parasol, should have teed-up Adiemus to make it third-time-lucky. Both winners of his two races take him on again tomorrow, but, although it's sure to be close, the tables are expected to be turned.

A thrilling contest is promised with Adiemus selected to have the call over the Eddie Ahern-ridden Kirovski and Parasol, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Also worth noting at Lingfield are the high-class turf performer Lunar Leo (4-10) and Effervesce (5-10), a previous course-and-distance winner.

Uttoxeter's principal race is the £100,000 John Smith's Midlands Grand National over four and a quarter miles, and the honours could well go to Just Maybe, who, comes here in sparkling form.

Venetia Williams' nine-year-old has won his last three races, and is also a previous course winner. He will receive every assistance from leading amateur rider Alan O'Keeffe.

Uttoxeter's valuable card also includes the £30,000 Tattersalls Mares' Only Novices' Chase Final, in which the classy Deep Sunset can give trainer Nicky Henderson a welcome win after a blank Cheltenham assault.

At Newcastle, Mick Easterby can get his name on the scoreboard, courtesy of nap selection Belisario in the Guinness St Patrick's Day Handicap Chase.

Not the easiest of horses to train, the nine-year-old finished third on his comeback effort at the end of last month and should be spot-on for this three-miler. Richard McGrath has the mount.

Diceman, trained by the in-form Sue Smith, will take plenty of catching in the cantorsport.co.uk Novices' Chase.

Thursdays's winners:

Cheltenham: 2.00 Spectroscope 20-1; 2.35 Baracouda 9-4 jt fav; 3.15 Best Mate 13-8 fav; 4.00 Kingscliff 11-4 fav; 4.35 Palarshan 8-1; 5.10 La Landiere 5-4 fav; 5.45 Spirit Leader 10-1.

Hexham: 2.15 Just Sal 16-1; 2.50 Fred's In The Know 4-9 fav; 3.30 Riviere 33-1; 4.10 Gimme Shelter 4-1; 4.45 Jim Bell 3-1 fav; 5.20 Charming Admiral 5-1.

Southwell: 1.20 Kentucky Bullet 9-2; 1.50 Crusoe 3-1 fav; 2.25 Fonthill Road 20-1; 3.00 Sir Night 12-1; 3.40 St Ivian 11-1; 4.20 Kylkenny 4-1 jt fav; 4.55 Air Of Esteem 9-2 jt fav; 5.30 Noble Cyrano 5-1.

Saturday's tips:

Lingfield: 1-30 Musical Gift, 2-00 Western Roots, 2-35 Peruvian Chief, 3-10 Adiemus, 3-40 Fiddlers Reach, 4-10 Lunar Leo, 4-40 Woodland Spirit, 5-10 Effervesce.

Uttoxeter: 1-15 Deep Sunset, 1-45 Bak To Bill, 2-20 Just Maybe, 2-55 Blood Sub, 3-30 News Maker, 4-00 Indalo, 4-35 Crystal d'Ainay.

Newcastle: 1-40 Just For Ger, 2-15 Lazy But Lively, 2-50 Belisario (NAP), 3-20 Diceman, 3-55 Temple Dog, 4-25 Joint Authority, 5-00 Thosewerethedays

Updated: 12:25 Friday, March 14, 2003