HEADSTRONG Argento is fancied to run his rivals ragged in Wetherby's feature race of the day, the White Rose Handicap Chase.

"He paid the price for a few novice-like mistakes last season, but he's in good order and Russ (Garritty) has been up to school him and he seems more settled after his summer break," said trainer George Moore's wife, Carol.

Despite getting rid of his jockey on three occasions last season, the hard-pulling Argento still managed to win with authority at Catterick, and there's little doubt he's an individual of real quality when he does manage a clear round.

Some would argue that with a relatively poor completion rate, it is a mistake to ask Argento to take on Wetherby's notoriously big fences, but I'm more of the opinion that so-called "soft" fences encourage chasers to be sloppy at their obstacles.

If by chance Argento does clout one early on, he'll maybe realise he can't take any further risks and concentrate on giving his fences the respect they deserve.

For the preceding £10,000 Rocom Handicap Hurdle, previous course and distance winner, Middlethorpe (3.35) will be a popular choice with the locals.

Mick Easterby's horses are enjoying a purple patch, a point which will not be lost on Middlethorpe's supporters, who can also take heart from the fact the consistent seven-year-old is fit from a spin on the level 21 days ago

Another individual bound to have benefited from a recent pipe- opener is Beat The Heat (4.45), a creditable second to Go Tech in a Class C handicap at York this month.

Jedd O'Keeffe's Middleham raider already has some smart hurdles form to his name, so provided he adapts to fences, there's little doubt that he should be in there pitching come the finale of the Tollerton Beginners' Chase.

Tadcaster-based Thomas Tate is far better known within the National Hunt sphere.

But he does keep a handful of flat horses, including the useful dual-purpose stayer, Dr Sharp (4.25).

Never afraid to take on the leading southern stables, Thomas heads down the A1 to Newmarket with Dr Sharp, in with a great shout of picking up the two-mile Racing UK Handicap.

Stamina rather than speed is the forte of Tate's four-year-old, a dour slugger who is admirably suited by the testing underfoot conditions which are certain to have the majority of the contestants gasping for oxygen once the jockeys require maximum thrust inside the final couple of furlongs.

Ferdy Murphy's runners at Uttoxeter can never be ignored, so don't be too shocked if Toulon Rouge (4.35) defies a monster absence of 555 days to win the Sessions Bars Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle.

Ferdy has the happy knack of getting his horses 100 per cent ready on the home gallops, and although Toulon Rouge isn't the type to do anything in hurry, I'm hopeful she'll still be galloping on resolutely when others have cried enough in the three-mile marathon.

* Hayley Turner gave herself a good send-off for a winter in the sun by scoring her 34th success of the season on Goodenough Mover for Swindon trainer Jeff King at Lingfield Park yesterday.

The apprentice, who claims 3lb, said: ''I've had a good year here and I hope to save my claim for the turf races next year by going out to Dubai on Sunday to work-ride for Godolphin for four months.''

The gelding was sent off at 20-1 for the seven-furlong ladbrokes.com Stakes and just got the better of Khabfair in a desperate finish.

Mith Hill (5-2) completed his hat-trick in the Barclaycard Business Handicap for trainer Ed Dunlop, who is in Texas to supervise the preparation of Ouija Board for tomorrow's Breeders' Cup meeting.

The colt, ridden by Eddie Ahern, forged clear of Dovedon Hero to score by 2 lengths in the 1-mile race.

Daniel Thomas was rewarded for his consistency when he took the first division of the Nicholas Hall EBF Maiden Stakes after four placed efforts.