The National Hunt season steps up a gear tomorrow as Wetherby stages the first leg of its prestigious two-day meeting, highlighted on Saturday by the Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase.

The opening action on the A1 course will certainly whet the appetite, with top-notch hurdler Behrajan set to make his eagerly-awaited fencing debut in the Tetley's Bitter Novices' Chase.

Trained by Henry Daly, Behrajan won two high-profile races last season before finishing a highly creditable third to Bacchanal in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

An exciting recruit to chasing, he has the potential to go right to the top.

Simply Gifted is fancied to open his account over fences in the Country And Metropolitan Homes Novices' Chase.

One of the leading juvenile hurdlers two seasons ago, Tim Easterby's gelding missed the whole of last year, but made an encouraging return to action to finish third on his chasing debut at Market Rasen a fortnight ago.

The useful Milligan, fit from the Flat, looks the one to be on in the Rocom Handicap Hurdle. Norman Williamson takes the mount on Venetia Williams' versatile five-year-old.

Belisario is napped to clinch thehorsesmouth.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle, which opens the programme.

Formerly trained in Newmarket by Neil Graham, for whom he won a bumper and was placed over hurdles, Belisario has since had a year off and joined Mick Easterby.

Unlikely to fail through lack of fitness, despite his lengthy absence, Belisario looks a decent prospect and a race of this nature is considered to be well within his grasp.

Jungli, an exciting spring-heeled jumper, ended last season with a brace of wins. He can start where he left off in the Wetherby Steeplechases Sponsorship Lunch Handicap Chase over a course and distance where he has been successful in the past.

A hat-trick of wins looks on the cards for Oliver Sherwood's in-form Omni Cosmo Touch in thorsesmouth.co.uk Four-Year-Old Handicap Hurdle.

At Newmarket, the Lawdirect James Seymour Stakes looks an ideal opportunity for Polar Red to crown a highly-successful campaign.

Mick Ryan's gelding has enjoyed a superb year in handicap company and has won his last three starts.

He has more on his plate stepping into Listed class tomorrow, but this confirmed mudlover has the right conditions in which to shine again.

The step up to two miles in the NGK Spark Plugs Stubbs Rated Handicap should not be too much of a shock for Helens Day.

Willie Jarvis's Grand Lodge filly was an impressive winner at Ayr last month when beating subsequent scorer Flossy, but she found a mile and a half too sharp for her on this course next time when fourth to Seren Hill. Tomorrow's stiffer stamina test should suit her.

Tomorrow's tips

Wetherby

2.15..........Belisario (Nap)

2.45............Simply Gifted

3.20......................Milligan

3.55....................Behrajan

4.30.........................Jungli

5.00..Omni Cosmo Touch

Newmarket

2.00...........................Zibet

2.30.......Carnival Dancer

3.05..................Polar Red

3.40...............Helen's Day

4.15........................Ma Vie

4,45.........................Ajwaa

5.20.............................Eve