DEVIL'S RUN (2.40) has the class to defy top-weight in the feature event at Sedgefield today, the John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Chase.

Trained just a few miles from the track at the village of Mordon by owner John Wade, Devil's Run showed a liking for his local track when getting off the mark in a fast time over fences at the course in March 2003.

He ran three the times last season without success, but bounced right back to his best when romping to a 23-length victory at Wetherby just eight days ago. Although Wade's in-form gelding must now shoulder a 7lb penalty for that win, Devil's Run won with such ease it's not hard to envisage him following up on the soft ground he so dearly loves.

Another horse guaranteed to relish the testing conditions is Harry Hooly (3.40), sure to be well supported for the closing gg.com Handicap Hurdle.

Harry Hooly's handler, Harriet Graham, had a winner via Indy Mood at Newcastle yesterday, so no worries about the well being of the stable. The selection has also won at the course in the past, albeit over a half-mile extra at a distance of three-miles-and three-furlongs.

Normally taking such a big step back in trip would be a concern, however Harry Hooly has already demonstrated he has the speed to win over this much shorter distance, and with the help of the talented Rose Davison up top, should hold too many guns for the opposition.

The young conditional rider, Doug Costello, has been getting some rave reviews of late, not least for the triumphant partnership he has struck up with Beamish Prince (1.30), a leading contender for the opening Nomad Novices' Hurdle at Leicester.

Costello has steered George Moore's rejuvenated four-year-old to a couple of wins, most recently at Wetherby where he coasted to an effortless eight-length win in an arguably stronger event.

Bernard Llewellyn's Alvaro (3.30) has been found a decent opportunity to follow-up last month's course and distance win in the two-and-a-half-mile Chieftain Claiming Hurdle.

Alvaro has been a allotted a realistic weight by his shrewd trainer, who knows that consistency has exactly been the hallmark of his Welsh raider during a career containing more ups-and-downs than a fiddler's elbow.

Heather Dalton's decision to switch Jour de Mee (4.00) back from fences to hurdles very nearly worked the oracle when the ex-French import went agonisingly close last time out.

Sensibly Dalton has kept Jour de Mee to the smaller obstacles for the closing Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle, a race in which Charlie Egerton hat-trick seeking, The Local, appears to be the main danger.

Tony Newcombe might have picked up a bargain by claiming Southwell-bound, Sovietta (1.20), for a mere 6,000 guineas at Leicester in October.

The filly has been fairly treated by the handicapper, who has given her a mark of 61 for the opening Bet Direct Apprentice Handicap.

In addition the up-and-coming young jockey, Mark Halford, is able to take a further 3lbs off Sovietta's back, a handy amount in a race eminently winnable by a horse with more scope to improve than any of her eight fully exposed rivals.

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