TURGEONEV can shine for Tim Easterby at Wetherby on Boxing Day by winning the feature race on the card.

The £35,000 Castleford Chase, normally held on the second day of Wetherby's Christmas meeting, has been switched to the principal programme, and Easterby has excellent prospects of victory in what promises to be a fascinating event.

Turgeonev, formerly trained by Micky Hammond, has won his last two starts and looks to be still on the upgrade.

He will, however, need to produce a career-best display to win this Grade 2 contest, especially with Aghawadda Gold, Ballinclay King and exciting novice October Mist in the line-up.

The latter, many will recall, lowered the colours of Barton here last month, and chalked-up a second course victory three weeks ago.

But Easterby, trainer of Barton, can have the last laugh by toppling October Mist with Turgeonev.

Mary Reveley, trainer of October Mist, can still figure on the Wetherby scoresheet with the progressive Man Murphy (12.50) and prolific winner The Major (3.00), while Mick Easterby also has good prospects of enjoying some Christmas cheer.

The Sheriff Hutton trainer saddles Gohh in the Yuletide Novices' Handicap Hurdle and this recent Market Rasen winner can oblige again.

Reveley should also make her mark at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. The Cleveland handler can score with Nap selection Il Cavaliere (12.30) and Abinito Lady (3.35) in the two divisions of the maiden hurdle.

Also worth noting is Suntas, overdue a winning turn, in the Clugston Lincolnshire National over a gruelling four miles and one furlong.

Updated: 09:54 Monday, December 24, 2001