FRANCE has become a popular place to purchase National Hunt stock, so with the likes of Towcester-bound Wiscalitus (3.00) successfully crossing over to these shores the trend is likely to become even more prevalent.

A three-time middle-distance scorer on the level in his native land, Wiscalitus made a massively impressive British debut at Market Rasen in August.

The Venetia Williams-trained horse attracted significant market support on that occasion, money which proved well spent when the five-year-old surged clear of the opposition to record a clear-cut five-length victory.

Although Wiscalitus has incurred a 6lb penalty, it may not be enough to stop him securing another win in the two-mile £8,000 Jewson Novices Hurdle.

Up-and-coming conditional jockey Alan O'Keeffe has been booked to partner the first of Venetia Williams' raiders, as well as her next runner, Chem's Truce (3.30), in the Lambert Smith Hampton Beginners Chase.

O'Keeffe has a deserved reputation for sitting tight in the saddle when things go wrong, a quality much needed in view of the stern test presented by Towcester's awesome obstacles.

Judged purely on his useful form over hurdles, Chem's Truce seems certain to figure prominently in the extended two-mile contest, but it is worth noting that the gelding hasn't always been the heartiest of battlers when asked for full throttle on the home run.

Richard Guest's horses always warrant respect at the course, so the decision to travel Donovan (4.00) down from Brancepeth, near Durham, to the Northamptonshire venue, has to be of interest.

Donovan, who ran no sort of race at Perth a fortnight ago, is far better assessed on the evidence of his triumph at Bangor, where he showed plenty of determination to repel the persistent challenge of his main rival, Revelino.

Same initials, but different trainer, Rae Guest has his eyes on the £5,000 six-furlong W H Smith Apprentice Handicap at Lingfield with Kensington (4.50).

Kensington opened his account in grand style at Ripon recently, powering right away from the opposition inside the final furlong. Guest's three-year-old has the profile of a progressive sprinter, so provided he gets the splits at the right time, win number two looks on the cards.

Mumbling (4.40) must have a decent chance of picking up the two-mile-and-three-furlong Dean & Dyball Handicap Hurdle.

Brendan Powell's chunky inmate was given a spin on the flat at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago, an outing which should have blown the cobwebs away from his lungs after a summer resting at grass.

Mumbling didn't do much wrong over the sticks last season, winning on his debut at Leicester, prior to finishing fourth in a far stronger affair at Newbury won by the leading novice hurdler, Albuhera.

* Gold Cup day tickets for the grandstand and Yorkshire course enclosures for the 'Royal Ascot' meeting at York next year have sold out, less than two days after going on sale, writes TATTENHAM

With all Gold Cup day hospitality packages sold as well, the only availability remaining for the general public on Thursday, June 16, will now be in the rails enclosure.

The capacity of the main stands, including the Royal enclosure, is 50,000, and the capacity for the rails enclosure is expected to be an additional 10,000.

Mindful of the traffic circulation limitations of York, there will be no car parking available with the purchase of tickets for the rails enclosure when they go on sale early next year.

Sales for this area will be restricted to residents in the immediate vicinity of York.

Royal Ascot at York takes place from June 14 to 18 and tickets and some hospitality packages are still available for all days except Thursday.