NORTH Yorkshire trainer John Quinn, who has a useful team of jumpers under his care this season, can hit the target at Hexham this afternoon with Chieftain's Choice, who is napped to go one better after going down narrowly on his latest start at Wetherby.

The gelding, winner of a Stratford bumper last season, left the impression that his turn over hurdles is only delayed when making The Grey Taylor pull out all the stops at Wetherby.

At the line, he was only half a length adrift of the winner with third horse all of nine lengths adrift.

Chieftain's Choice looks to have been found a good opportunity by Quinn in the EBF Stallions/At The Races Novices' Hurdle. He promises to take all the beating.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Mark Walford saddles Uno Valeroso in the Hexham Abbey Novices' Handicap Chase. The six-year-old made a winning debut over fences at Kelso earlier this month, beating Brother Scott by six lengths.

Brother Scott takes him on again, but Uno Valeroso, who has been raised 7lb, is fancied to have his measure again. Tony Kelly takes the mount.

The Northumberland County Handicap Chase over four miles will be some slog on the forecast heavy ground. Tony Coyle's Silver Dragon, a winner over hurdles at Wetherby on Saturday, turns out again seeking his first chase success, but he may find Simarthur too strong for him.

Lucinda Russell's gelding won on this course last season. Provided he is fit enough to do himself justice on his return to action after more than seven months, Simarthur can lift this gruelling stamina test.

In the Durham CCC Royal London Cup Winners Handicap Hurdle, Cousin Guillaume is selected to take high rank.

There was no disgrace in finishing third to the useful Chidswell at Ayr last time and James Ewart's charge will be much better suited to taking on handicappers here off a mark of only 105. He is entitled to run a big race.

At Lingfield's Flat meeting, Lunasea makes plenty of appeal in the Coral Maiden Stakes.

Trained by Luca Cumani, the three-year-old made a belated debut at Newbury last month and displayed distinct promise when finish fourth, despite looking green. He will have learned plenty from that experience and is expected to go well under Adam Kirby here.

Beverley trainer Les Eyre has already placed Compton Park to win this year at Thirsk, Haydock and Pontefract. He now seeks to gain an all-weather success with this speedy seven-year-old in the featured Unibet Handicap.

Compton Park shaped well to finish sixth to Foxtrot Romeo at Wolverhampton recently, considering he missed the break. A quicker start this time could well see him in the shake-up in the hands of smart 7lb claimer Kieran Shoemark.

Also worth noting are Lady Cecil's Eatsleepracerepeat (12.00), who is deserving of a winning turn, and previous course winner Abigails Angel (2.30).
 

Selections

Hexham today
12.20 Deep Resolve, 12.50 Simarthur, 1.20 Chieftain’s Choice (NAP), 1.50 Snuker, 2.20 Allez Cool, 2.50 Uno Valoroso, 3.30 Cousin Guillaume.

Lingfield today
12.00 Eatsleepracerepeat, 12.30 Syechelloise, 1.00 Lunasea, 1.30 Ghost Train, 2.00 Compton Park, 2.30 Abigails Angel, 3.00 Just Rubie, 3.30 The Ducking Stool.

Today’s other meetings
Kempton and Warwick.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Chepstow, Kempton, Market Rasen and Wincanton