Man On The Hill, seemingly well served by the ups and downs of Sedgefield, can gain his third win on the County Durham course tomorrow.

Ferdy Murphy's headstrong gelding goes for the W A Stephenson Memorial Novices' Chase - a race named in honour of one of the north's great trainers of post-war years - and I fancy Man On The Hill to add to his impeccable track record.

Not the easiest of horses to train, Man On The Hill, formerly with Martin Pipe, does most of his work for Murphy on his own on Middleham Moor.

The solo spins are clearly working because the seven-year-old has won both his starts for the North Yorkshire yard, and both times at Sedgefield.

Tomorrow he returns, and a hat-trick looks on the cards. JP McNamara again has the mount.

Charter Royal, who got back on the winning trail here last week, can complete a double by landing the Segdefield Racecourse Handicap Chase.

Trained in Scotland by Tony Dicken, Charter Royal produced a storming late run to gain a thrilling victory in the hands of Tom Siddall, who takes the ride again tomorrow. Although burdened with a 7lb penalty, Charter Royal can oblige again.

Riversdale should take plenty of beating in the Sedgefield Selling Handicap Hurdle. Jimmy FitzGerald's charge gave a much more encouraging effort at Uttoxeter on his latest start when beaten only three lengths by Weet And See in a handicap. He should go well in this modest event and is awarded the Nap vote.

With John Upson's horses back in form after a spell in the doldrums, I would not be surprised to see Bowles Patrol winning the Come Racing at Sedgefield Amateurs' Riders' Handicap Chase.

At Wincanton, Image de Marque ll could provide the currently all-conquering Martin Pipe-Tony McCoy partnership with another success. This former French-trained mare landed some tidy bets when winning at Cheltenham last Saturday. A 7lb penalty is unlikely to be enough to stop Image de Marque ll tomorrow.

Rovestar, who underlined his well-being when scoring at Chepstow recently, can double his tally in the Holbrook House Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old will again have the assistance of Paul Flynn, who drove home Rovestar to beat the hot-favourite Present Bleu by one and threequarters lengths at Chepstow.

Also worth keeping an eye on are promising Meander (2.00) and progressive The Sawdust Kid (2.30).

Tomorrow's tips:

Sedgefield

1.10 Bowles Patrol, 1.40 Riversdale (Nap), 2.10 Charter Royal, 2.40 Ipledgeallegiance, 3.10 Man On The Hill, 3.40 Devil's Run.

Wincanton

1.30 Image de Marque ll, 2.00 Meander, 2.30 The Sawdust Kid, 3.00 Chalmers Place, 3.30 Rovestar, 4.00 North Kilkenny.

Warwick

1.20 Empire Gold, 1.50 Harik, 2.20 Kadarann, 2.50 Jollie Bollie, 3.20 Very Very Noble, 3.50 Top Buck.

Updated: 12:13 Wednesday, November 21, 2001