Summer can't have been much fun in Ferdy Murphy's stable as the winners totally dried up for the yard following Shays Lane's success at Hexham in the middle of June.

However, things change quickly in racing and, since World Vision ended the drought at Sedgefield in October, the trainer has racked up a further 18 wins.

Fifteen of those victories have been over fences and the good run can be maintained at Catterick this afternoon with Family Venture in the Pepper Arden Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.

A dual winner over fences on a sound surface just over a year ago, the seven-year-old shaped as though retaining all his ability when third to the bang-in-form and subsequent winner Strong Resolve at Ayr on his first run of the year last month.

Given the ground was on the testing side, that run was all the more meritorious and, on ground that should be much more to his liking today, he'll take plenty of beating from this slightly lower mark. He's preferred to Mr Nemo.

Evan Williams, who trains Mr Nemo, has claims with Forest Chief in the Richmondshire Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs but preference is for Rival Bidder.

Sue Smith's seven-year-old ran well over hurdles on his penultimate start (three miles) and will be suited by the return to the smaller obstacles after making a few mistakes over fences last time.

Howard Johnson and Graham Wylie can keep up their good run by taking division one of the Ellerton Juvenile Novices Hurdle over two miles with Regal Setting.

A winner of three of his five Flat starts for Sir Mark Prescott, he's sure to have been well schooled for this hurdles debut and is taken to beat recent winner Classic Event, who will have to improve to follow up under a penalty.

Johnson can also be on the mark with Young Scotton, who was bitterly disappointing on his hurdles debut at Wetherby last time, but who is worth another chance in the Streetlam National Hunt Novices Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.

Jim Goldie is better known for his exploits on turf but he's been on the mark on sand in recent times and he's taken to have a winner at each of the two all-weather meetings.

Regent's Secret had been one to avoid at all costs, but he looked a reformed character on only his second all-weather start at Wolverhampton and is fancied to land the Bet Direct At Dunstall Park Classified Stakes over the extended nine furlongs.

Goldie's runner had subsequent winner Wrenlane back in third when successful over course and distance in October and was anything but disgraced over a trip beyond his optimum (a mile and a half) at this course last time.

Goldie also has claims of a winner with Stellite, who makes his all-weather debut in the Book Your Christmas Party At Southwell Banded Stakes over seven furlongs at Southwell.

A winner in this company and over this trip at Ayr earlier in the year, he shaped well over six at the same course last time and, as he's by Pivotal, who gets plenty of winners in this sphere, should have no problems with this surface.

Back at Wolverhampton, Chorus, who travelled strongly before showing the right attitude to win at Southwell last time, is taken to follow up in the betdirect.co.uk Classified Stakes over six furlongs.

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