NORTON trainer Tim FitzGerald, who placed Acrai Rua to win at Carlisle earlier this month, is fancied to complete a double with his long distance chaser at Wetherby tomorrow.

Acrai Rua produced a sound performance on his latest outing, staying on strongly to win by an emphatic eight lengths.

The handicapper has hiked up his rating by 9lb for that success, but it could be that Acrai Rua is capable of withstanding his extra burden.

He lines-up in the £10,000 Ladies’ Evening – 30th May Handicap Chase and is taken to oblige once more.

Trainer Alan King, who has struck form with a vengeance lately and who won last Saturday’s Scottish Grand National with Godsmejudge, has double prospects at Wetherby with Fair Trade, the nap selection, and Letsby Avenue.

Fair Trade, who runs in the opening National Festival Circus Is Here Today Novices’ Hurdle, turns out quickly after his 14 length success at Wincanton just a week ago.

He has a 7lb penalty to shoulder, but Fair Trade is a useful horse in the making and he promises to give Wayne Hutchinson another winning ride.

Letsby Avenue, who runs in the DM Keith Skoda & Seat Maiden Hurdle, will be making his first appearance for four months.

Winner of his one and only bumper, the five-year-old shaped well in his two hurdle races and looks up to paying his way this summer when the drier ground should be in his favour. King’s horses seldom fail through lack of fitness after a break and Letsby Avenue will be hard to beat.

Also worth noting are Kim Bailey’s Muldoon’s Picnic (2.30), winner of a bumper and a hurdle, and now poised to add to his score over fences, and Arkaim (5.15), a Taunton winner for Pam Sly and Gina Andrews earlier in the week. If none the worse for those exertions, the five-year-old can claim the concluding contest, which is confined to lady riders.

At Huntingdon, veteran jockey Andrew Thornton can lift the featured 32Red Handicap Chase aboard the in-form Galway Jack.

Caroline Bailey’s gelding is on a hat-trick bid after wins at Uttoxeter and Wetherby, where he scored by a resounding 15 lengths.

This race promises to be tougher off his revised rating, but Galway Jack is in such rude health at present that he is hard to dismiss.

The Mad Robertson may prove the answer to the 32Red Casino Novices’ Chase.

A winner over hurdles at Bangor two outings ago before being a beaten favourite at the same venue on his latest start, The Mad Robertson now switches to fences for the first time.

In a race that may not take a lot of winning, he commands respect from the powerful Jonjo O’Neill stable. Richie McLernon has the mount.

Also worthy of attention are Nicky Henderson’s useful Shernando (3.25) and the in-form Upton Mead (5.35), who will have the accomplished services of Connor Shoemark, who is excellent value for his 7lb claim.

RACING selections

Wetherby tomorrow
2.00 Fair Trade (NAP), 2.30 Muldoon’s Picnic, 3.05 Nicky Nutjob, 3.35 Acrai Rua, 4.10 Letsby Avenue, 4.45 Drumlang, 5.15 Arkaim.

Huntingdon tomorrow
2.20 Toubeera, 2.50 Overdante, 3.25 Shernando, 3.55 Days Gone By, 4.30 The Mad Robertson, 5.05 Galway Jack, 5.35 Upton Mead.

Tomorrow’s other meeting: Ludlow.

Today’s meetings: Doncaster, Haydock, Leicester, Market Rasen, Ripon and Sandown.