THIS evening's meeting at Sedgefield features not only six interesting jumps' races, but also a 20-runner line-up for the final of the Miss Durham Beauty Contest, together with a Galaxy FM music show plus free drink for the first 2000 paying ladies through the turnstiles.

Away from the beauty aspect of affairs, punters needing advice on which beast to back should seek no further than Little Brown Bear (7.35) in the most valuable race on the card, the £7,500 Wares Teesside Handicap Chase.

Richard Ford's raider picked up a similar standard event over track and trip just under two years ago with a fluent display of fencing. Although Little Brown Bear wasn't in such good heart on his most recent outing when finishing well down the pack in the John Smith's National, he generally performs well at the track and thoroughly deserves a second chance to show his true colours.

In the race we are sponsoring, The Northern Echo Hunters' Chase, Son Of Anshan (8.05) represents a solid option.

The highly capable amateur rider, Grant Tuer, partners the near veteran for his father, Edwin, who farms at Great Smeaton not far from Northallerton. Son Of Anshan has a superb record at the course and put in yet another foot-perfect round when scoring with plenty in hand at the self-same venue in mid-April.

Earlier on the day, trainer Noel Wilson has excellent prospects of landing a double in the final two races at Ripon via Stallone and Santiburi Lad.

Stallone (4.40) goes for the mile-and-a-quarter Galphay Classified Stakes with his tail up having finished like a train to snatch third spot over course and distance last time out.

Each-way supporters of Stallone could have been excused for tearing up their tickets at the halfway stage on that occasion since the gelding was out with the washing with only three furlongs of the contest remaining.

Seemingly toiling with no hope in the rear division, Stallone suddenly sprouted wings and gathered such a head of steam that he was only one length adrift of the eventual winner, Intricate Web, come the winning line.

He'll be plenty for sharper for the outing and provided the race isn't spoilt by a funereal early gallop, Wilson's seven-year-old has the perfect profile to grab the spoils.

The decision to step Santiburi Lad (5.10) up in trip to 12 furlongs is very much an experimental ploy for the Studley Royal Handicap Hurdle.

Having never won beyond mile-and-a-quarter, Santiburi Lad will be going into unknown territory once the bunch breeze past the two-furlong pole. Nonetheless, he was staying on stoutly enough in a bog at Beverley 17 days ago, suggesting he might now be the surprise package in a warmish race.

For the Black Sheep Brewery Handicap, make sure Dispol Veleta (3.10) is on your short-list.

Kevin Darley's mount has developed significantly over the past few months, making up into a real good-looking filly. Admittedly David Barron's three-year-old cut no ice at Thirsk recently, however she's entitled to the odd off day and could so easily bounce back at a rewarding starting price.

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