The British Horserace Board decision to switch tomorrow's scheduled meeting at Towcester, where remedial work is being carrried out on the track, to Wetherby, could hardly have worked better for one horse.
Master Wood is a six-times winner at the Yorkshire 'A1' course and he now gets the opportunity to make it a magnificent seven in the Garforth Hunters' Chase.
Trained in County Durham by former top northern jump-jockey Chris Grant, Master Wood, a once useful handicap chaser, is in the twilight of his racing career
But the 13-year-old proved his well-being when beating the useful Torduff Express and Last Option at Haydock recently. Master Wood will be on his favourite course tomorrow and Tom Greenall will again be in the saddle.
Vicars Destiny makes plenty of appeal in the Selby Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle.
Trained in Lincolnshire by Sue Lamyman, the five-year-old has finished in the money, though without getting her head in front, on her last three starts.
Tomorrow's opposition does not amount to a great deal and Vicars Destiny is expected to find opportunity knocking. Alan Dempsey takes the mount.
The Rocom Novices' Chase has cut-up to only four runners, the pick of which promises to be Extra Cache.
The ten-year-old gelding, trained by Owen Brennan, is already a winner this season, and is a previous scorer on this course. He is expected to have the edge over his three rivals.
At Carlisle, the Penton Novices' Chase looks an ideal opportunity for Mr Woodentop to complete a hat-trick of wins over fences.
Len Lungo's gelding will have his favourite soft ground and also the assistance of Tony Dobbin as he returns to action after a seven-week break.
Carnacrack has good prospects in the Billy Laidlaw is 60 Today Handicap Hurdle.
A good recent run to finish third at Newcastle, in his first race since November, should have brought Sandy Forster's gelding back to the boil and tomorrow's step up to an extended three miles should bring out the best in him.
Castle Richard, the mount of Richard McGrath, looks a winning combination in the Border Esk 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
Trained by George Moore, the six-year-old is progressing nicely and was beaten only a short-head by hot favourite Derivative at Ayr last time over two-and-a-half miles.
Tomorrow's step up to three miles should suit him even better and he is napped to get back on top.
Howard Johnson and Graham Lee have formed a notable partnership this season and the trainer-jockey can click again with the lightly-raced Kadouko in the Derwent Handicap Chase.
Thursday's tips:
WETHERBY
1.55 Maraud, 2.30 Woodfield Gale, 3.05 Able Native, 3.40 Extra Cache, 4.15 Vicars Destiny, 4.45 Master Wood, 5.20 On Approval.
CARLISE
2.05 Mill Emerald, 2.40 Carnacrack, 3.15 Tribal County, 3.50 Mr Woodentop, 4.25 Castle Richard (Nap), 5.00 Kadouko, 5.35 Baron Monty.
- Tomorrow's other meeting is at Wincanton.
Updated: 11:57 Wednesday, March 05, 2003
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