TALENT scouts seeking up-and-coming stars of the saddle need look no further than Keith Mercer, partner of Fashions Monty (12.50) in the opener at Hexham today.

Mercer is attached to the stable of Ferdy Murphy, trainer of Fashions Monty, an eight-year-old worth following judged on the improvement he showed last winter when posting a shock 50-1 success at Sedgefield.

The only problem with backing Fashions Monty revolves around the fact that ideally he needs a tad further than this afternoon's extended 2-mile trip.

However, on the plus side, the steep climb to the winning line means it is a very stiff test of stamina, which combined with the testing ground and Mercer's skills, could just tip the scales in favour of the selection.

Upswing, the subject of a 40-day ban under the non-trier's rule at Catterick a few months ago, might well be the surprise package in the Sharp Minds Handicap Hurdle at 3.20.

For sure he is no world-beater, but at a relatively low level I reckon Paddy Aspell's mount is capable of picking up plenty of prize-money in the north.

There was certainly a lot to like about Upswing's second placing to Fairy Skin Maker on his final outing of the 2003/2005 campaign, form that translates extremely well in terms of some well-exposed opponents.

Derby-winning Irish handler John Oxx has supplied Mark Johnston with several good horses during the past decade, so it must be of significant interest that Yarmouth-bound Marias Magic (3.30) is the latest filly to make the transfer.

Oxx sent over the daughter of Mtoto for a maiden event at Bath, a race she duly won prior to making her way up to Middleham, rather than return to her original home across the Irish Sea.

Marias Magic beat a pretty useful cookie trained by Michael Jarvis called Safirah at the west-country course, a performance that has earned Mark's new inmate top-weight in the Betfair Classified Stakes.

With only two life-time starts on which to assess Marias Magic, it would be silly to be too dogmatic about the three-year-old's prospects.

But her sire generally produces late-maturing types and there is a strong possibility that the official handicapper has slipped up by only allotting her a rating of 77