Sheer Genius can show his potential as a high-class chaser in the making at Towcester tomorrow.

Trained by Mark Pitman, the five-year-old makes his debut over fences in the 'Become An Annual Member Today' Novices' Chase and a successful assault is anticipated.

Sheer Genius proved himself a very talented horse over hurdles last season, winning on this course as well as at Fontwell and Cheltenham.

He promises to prove even more effective over the major obstacles and tomorrow's introduction should be the stepping stone to better things in the future. Norman Williamson has the mount.

Middleham jockey JP McNamara makes the journey to Towcester to team-up with The Silver Surfer, who has strong claims in the Lambert Smith Hampton Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by John Mackie, a good supporter of McNamara, who is attached to Ferdy Murphy's yard, The Silver Surfer finished a good second to Mill Afrique at Huntingdon last time over two and a half miles.

The drop back to the minimum trip tomorrow should not inconvenience The Silver Surfer, who is napped to come out on top.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is beginning to get his horses into top gear and the Gloucestershire trainer can hit the target with Keaneo in the National Hunt Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Keaneo made a winning reappearance at Perth a fortnight ago, but still left the impression that he just needed that race. After looking likely to win cosily, he needed to be driven right out in the end to hold on.

Capable of better still, he can follow-up here under Carl Llewellyn.

Recent winner Darakshan looks the one to be on in the selling hurdle. Dean Gallagher has the mount.

Martin Pipe is likely to be among the winners at his local Exeter course, where his best chance may lie with Present Bleu in the Dean & Dyball Handicap Hurdle.

Winner of his last three starts, the in-form six-year-old looks capable of defying a penalty under the peerless Tony McCoy.

Philip Hobbs has a formidable string at his disposal as the jumping season gets into top gear and it will be disappointing if Karratha is beaten in the Dean & Dyball Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase.

A winning hurdler last term, Karratha has the profile of a horse who should do even better over fences. Richard Johnson has the mount.

Tomorrow's tips:

Towcester

2.25 Darakshan, 2.55 Caxton Star, 3.25 Sheer Genius, 4.00 The Silver Surfer (Nap), 4.30 Barton Boy, 5.00 Keaneo.

Exeter

2.10 Mill Orchid, 2.40 The Woodstock Lady, 3.10 Karratha, 3.40 Abacus, 4.10 Generosity, 4.40 Present Bleu, 5.10 Miracle Kid.

Updated: 13:53 Tuesday, October 09, 2001