TIM Easterby tomorrow saddles the first runner he has sent to Wincanton and he is fancied to win the feature race with Skillwise.

The Great Habton trainer has a high opinion of this six-year-old, who travels to Somerset to contest the £17,000 Premier 'National Hunt' Auction Novices' Hurdle.

A bumper winner at Sedgefield in the autumn, Skillwise suffered a surprising defeat on his next outing over hurdles but was later discovered to be coughing.

After ten weeks off, the gelding reappeared at Doncaster recently and turned in a cracking performance to finish second to the well-regarded Samuel Wilderspin, losing in a photo-finish.

Likely to have benefited from that outing, Skillwise is napped to get back in the winning groove tomorrow in the hands of Russ Garrity, who is standing in for the suspended Lorcan Wyer.

Callisoe Bay should not be overlooked in the Racing In Wessex Chase despite being pulled-up last time at Cheltenham.

Oliver Sherwood's charge failed to jump fluently that day and, trying a longer distance, was eventually pulled-up before the second-last fence after becoming detached from the field.

Callisoe Bay had previously gained a fine win over Stately Home over this course and distance. His chances of coming good again should not be underestimated.

Line Of Conquest will be a tough nut to crack in the Gillingham Handicap Hurdle.

Richard Dunwoody's mount has won two of his three completed starts this season and had a convincing three and half lengths to spare over Harbet House at Warwick last time. He can oblige again for trainer Ron Hodges.

The Bounder, who has a highly impressive winning record in point-to-points, can underline his prowess by capturing the Somerset Hunters' Chase with the accomplished Joe Tizzard in the saddle.

At Huntingdon, French Holly should not be opposed in the featured £10,000 Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle.

Winner of all his three starts this season French Holly, trained at Middleham by Ferdy Murphy, ran out an impressive scorer from the highly regarded Grey Shot in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last time. A leading hope for the Cheltenham Festival next month, the seven-year-old can bolster his claims here.

Neltegrity, who is in cracking form, can complete a hat-trick of wins by landing the Farcet Fen Handicap Chase.

Pam Sly's gelding followed up a win over this course and distance by scoring at Catterick last week at the main expense of Mr Fudge. He can defy a 6lb penalty tomorrow.

Sheriff Hutton-based Tim Walford, a shrewd trainer of point-to-pointers, saddles Hiltonstown Lass, a recent winner between the flags, in the Duck's Cross Novices' Hunters' Chase. The eight-year-old merits close attention.

Also worth noting at Huntingdon is Organ Recital in the Whittlesey Novices' Handicap Chase. Although a faller last time, Owen Brennan's useful gelding had previously scored in good style over this course and distance.

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