TIM EASTERBY takes County Classic to Huntingdon in the hope of following up her recent impressive Sedgefield success.

Despite an unsuitable early pace at the last-named track, County Classic (2.30) still managed to draw nicely clear of Marsh Run in the closing stages.

At face value the form needed a bit of a boost, and Marsh Run did not disappoint by going on to finish a fine second to Cake It Easy at Newcastle on Monday.

Even more importantly, County Classic must travel a full half-mile further in this afternoon's EBF Mares Only Novices Hurdle, which, according to connections, should help the selection bring about the required improvement.

In the earlier £20,000 totejackpot Hurdle, previous track and trip scorer Haditovski (1.30) bids to maintain Frank Jordan's purple patch.

The Midlands-based handler has his horses in tremendous fettle at present and Haditovkski looks like he's about to climb on the bandwagon after a cracking second placing in a typically cut-throat Newbury event.

Andrew Parker will have his fingers crossed that the lengthy trek down from Lockerbie to Ludlow is worthwhile for his dour staying chaser, Harlov (2.40).

Harlov hasn't always been the most co-operative of characters, but by the same token the almost certain favourite, Inca Trail, has also been dubbed as something of an underachiever.

Harlov, who was recently third to Carlisle specialist Grattan Lodge, receives a handy 20lbs from Inca Trail, a huge weight difference which might just tip the scales in the favour of Parker's long-distance raider.

In the preceding Shukers Handicap Hurdle, the booking of reigning champion jockey, Tony McCoy, bodes most promisingly for Honey's Gift (2.10).

George Margarson's ultra-consistent mare fought like a tigress when headed by The Last Mohican at Leicester last Thursday, just the sort of courage needed for the inevitable kitchen-sink ride she'll be subjected to from the mercurial McCoy.

Best bet in my book at Taunton is Barnards Green (2.50), who lines up for the two-mile-and-three-furlong Brendon Hills Handicap Chase.

Although Barnards Green has been whacked up 10lbs as a consequence of his breathtaking ten-length triumph over course and distance in the autumn, he remains reasonably treated considering the fast underfoot conditions, which seem certain to inconvenience many of his rivals.

The opening Exmoor Novices' Hurdle brings together a few smart young prospects, none more so than Nuit Sombre (12.50), a former useful ten-furlong gelding on the flat for Mark Johnston.

Nuit Sombre made a right mess of his jumps' debut when tailed off at Cheltenham, however Nicky Henderson quickly sorted out the problem and his new recruit did the job in style when the cash was down at Huntingdon in early November.

Regular readers of the column will recall I was always a big fan of Nuit Sombre when campaigned on the level, and for my money there's no reason why the talented four-year-old won't continue his winning ways now that he's been switched to the rough-and-tumble of the National Hunt arena