L'ORAGE LADY looks a solid enough each-way bet in this afternoon's two-mile-and-five-furlong Tote-sponsored Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield, writes Colin Woods (Janus).

Heather Dalton is rapidly making a name as a trainer to fear wherever she sends her horses, and L'Orage Lady (4.30) must enter calculations for today's contest by virtue of finishing runner-up to Stage By Stage at Uttoxeter in August.

Considering that was Stage By Stage's fourth consecutive victory, it underlined the merit of L'Orage Lady's performance, which was made all the more compelling since she had to make up a significant amount of late ground having been held up in rear for the early part of the race.

The outcome of the Johnny Ridley Memorial Maiden Chase could prove to be an exciting affair with Pavey Ark (3.30), Gaucho, plus Andaleer, all closely matched according to my speed ratings.

Both Gaucho and Andaleer have bits and pieces of form which suggest they will be in the shake-up, but preference is marginally for Pavey Ark, who ran out of his socks to chase home Sue Smith's smart gelding, Undeniable, when the pair clashed over course and distance last time out.

Much further south in the West Country at Exeter, you can more than likely count on Cobbet (4.20) to come up with the goods in the BOC Sureflow Handicap Hurdle.

Having won off a mark of 121 over fences at Uttoxeter in July, trainer Tom George has cleverly switched the horse back to the smaller obstacles to exploit his much lower hurdles' rating of 114.

Cobbet needs to defy a 91-day absence from action, nevertheless, much like his near neighbour in Gloucestershire, Nigel Twiston-Davies, George is a past master at getting his inmates 100% race-fit on the home gallops.

It is amazing how often a change of scenery brings about a revival in fortunes, a good case in point being Alavro (4.50), a winner on his first try for Wales-based handler, Bernard Llewellyn.

Previously with Michael Chapman and David Wintle, Alvaro came back to his best with a bang by landing a selling hurdle at Plumpton nine days ago. The rejuvenated seven-year-old now steps up in class for the Conference Centre Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle, however he's only got a 6lb penalty for that success, a minimal rise which might not be sufficient to prevent him completing a quick-fire double.

Masses of entries on the level at Nottingham mean winner finding is going to be nigh on impossible.

The only small field on the card, the seven-runner Roseland Group Autumn Handicap, is at least punter friendly and Richtee (4.10) gets the nod. Richard Fahey's stayer got bogged down when last of four in the mud at Newcastle, but ignore that outing and he has a fine chance to repair the damage on this far faster surface.

* Welsh Emperor landed a cosy all-the-way 2-1 winning nap for Janus (Colin Woods) at Hamilton yesterday.

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