Native buck, runner-up in both his races this season, can make it third time lucky by winning at Leicester tomorrow.

The Mark Wilkinson trained gelding goes for the Leicester Novices' Handicap Chase and, with Warren Marston in the saddle, has strong claims of victory.

Native Buck began the season by finishing a three and a half lengths second to Echo's Of Dawn at Uttoxeter and, on the strength of that encouraging display, was made 11-10 favourite at Newton Abbot on his next outing.

But the seven-year-old again found one too good in Just Steffi, who got up in the dying strides to beat Native Buck by just over a length.

After a six weeks break Native Buck returns to action tomorrow with every chance of gaining a deserved win. He is awarded the Nap vote.

Wilkinson can also take the Leicester Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle with Tifasi.

Already a winner this season, Tifasi was well beaten into third place by Be In Space at Bangor next time, but faces lesser opposition tomorrow.

Young Devereaux will not be short of supporters in the Groby Novices' Chase.

Trained by the in-form Paul Nicholls, this fine young prospect created a very favourable impression when opening his winning account over fences at Uttoxeter recently.

He looks destined to go on to much better things as soon he gains a little more experience over the major obstacles.

The admirably consistent Wonderboy is overdue a winning turn and Jamie Poulton's six-year-old can remedy that situation by lifting the Dove Selling Handicap Hurdle.

At Hereford, Isca Maiden can prove herself capable of stepping up in class by winning the Tetley's Bitter Mares Only Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old created something of a surprise on her latest start, at Towcester, when winning a selling hurdle at 20-1, but there was no semblance of fluke about that success as she scored by no less than 11 lengths.

Tomorrow will be tougher, but Isca Maiden is expected to go well off bottom weight.

Kates Charm, a first fence faller at Wincanton last time after being sent off the 6-4 favourite, can gain compensation in the Severn Valley Catering Novices' Chase.

Robert Alner's charge had previously scored by 11 lengths on the same course and, worth forgiving for her latest blip, remains a mare with a bright future over fences.

She can pick up the threads tomorrow in the hands of Andrew Thornton, who steered home my Saturday Nap selection Lancastrian Jet to a 4-1 success at Sandown.

Thornton can also lift the Burgoynes of Lyonshall Novices' Handicap Chase on Kedge Anchor Man, provided the nine-year-old's suspect jumping stands up.

The gelding, who missed the whole of last season, has failed to complete the course twice in four outings since returning to action, but is capable enough otherwise. Risky proposition though he is, he can not be ruled out.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.