Big Bad Bob heads back to Chester tomorrow seeking his third win of the campaign.

The John Dunlop-trained juvenile, successful on the famous Roodee circuit last month, lines up for the Renault Master Vans Conditions Stakes over the same distance of an extended seven furlongs, and is expected to take all the beating.

Big Bad Bob was not an instant success. It took him until his third outing to get off the mark, at Newcastle, but he has not looked back since.

His latest victory was achieved in the style of a horse climbing the glory ladder, and Willie Supple's mount is fancied to add to his tally tomorrow before taking a further step up in class.

The £12,000 Linpac Group Handicap is the richest race on the Chester programme and Octane could be the one to benefit.

The mount of Tony Culhane, Octane has been running consistently well in defeat in the last couple of months and is overdue a win.

Mark Brisbourne, his trainer, has his team in good form and Octane is expected to add his name to the stable's scoreboard tomorrow.

Channel 4 racing pundit Jim McGrath and Reg Griffin, from Timeform, have owned many a horse between them over the years, and Tangled Up In Blue, one of their current crop, has good pros-pects in the Weatherbys Printing Services Nursery Handicap.

The youngster finished a creditable fourth to Avonbridge over six furlongs at Goodwood last time, which was his first outing after an absence of four months.

The benefit of that race plus tomorrow's extra distance gives Tangled Up In Blue a bright chance of figuring in the shake-up.

Nap selection Blue Star should not be overlooked in the Saffie Joseph & Sons Handicap.

Michael Mullineaux's charge has finished in the frame in his last three races, twice when he was carrying more weight than his long-handicap assessment. His winning turn is overdue and opportunity could come knocking this time with Daragh O'Donohoe in the saddle.

At Goodwood, Hakam merits attention in the Merbury Catering Consultants Handicap.

The John Berry-trained gelding, despite running a host of good races, remains a maiden, but he has not enjoyed the best of luck this season. If he gets the rub of the green tomorrow, his winning turn could finally come under Brett Doyle.

Also worth noting is Lady McNair in the Sharp Auction Stakes over seven furlongs. Peter Cundall's two-year-old has proved a revelation this term and is expected to add to her tally tomorrow with in-form Seb Sanders on board.

Wednesday's tips:

CHESTER: 2-20 Donegal Dancer; 2-50 Bella Chica; 3-25 Tangled Up In Blue; 4-00 Octane; 4-35 Big Bad Bob; 5-05 Flak Jacket; 5-35 Blue Star (NAP).

GOODWOOD: 2-30 Team-Mate; 3-05 Tiber; 3-40 Lady McNair; 4-15 Rawyaan; 4-45 Flapdoodle; 5-15 Deeper In Debt; 5-50 Hakam.

Updated: 12:43 Tuesday, September 24, 2002