RICHARD JOHNSON'S relentless pursuit of Tony McCoy at the head of the jump jockeys' championship continues in earnest at Huntingdon with a brace of excellent opportunities in the opening two divisions of the Sky Interactive Novices' Hurdle.

Johnson relies heavily on the leading West Country handler Philip Hobbs to supply his major ammunition and it is Hobbs who provides this afternoon's firepower in the shape of Fool On The Hill (1.20) and In the Frame (1.50).

Fool On The Hill nearly opened his account at Leicester this month, when denied only by the width of a fag paper in a thrilling battle to the line with Mick Easterby's gelding Parknasilla.

The pair pulled a whacking 17 lengths clear of the third horse, adding significant substance to the outright value of the form.

In The Frame suffered a similar fate to his stable companion when he was also runner-up, this time behind the market leader, Lord Lington, at Folkestone 13 days ago.

Johnson, one of the most dedicated riders in the weighing room, doesn't take kindly to such frustrating near-misses, so you can bet he'll be all out to make sure both of his mounts hit the bulls-eye.

Charlie Mann has enjoyed great success with his game mare, Regal Holly, who is in with a great shout of claiming the skybetvegas.com Handicap Hurdle.

The nine-year-old mare is especially effective when the mud is flying and with conditions forecast to be good to soft, she should be in her element for the near two-mile-and-six-furlong event.

The predicted frost could put paid to Huntingdon, where an inspection is scheduled for 7.30am, but Lingfield may survive unless there is heavy snow in the south.

Top-notch lightweight Jimmy Quinn, who booted in a 50-1 winner at the track last Saturday, has been snapped up to partner Ivory Coast (3.30) in the mile-and-a-quarter Bet Direct Handicap.

Willie Muir's three-year-old showed his first real signs of ability when fourth over course and distance on his most recent outing. Muir's team normally begins to fire about this time of year and with Ivory Coast open to improvement, a speculative each-way wager is recommended.

Michael Dods sends two of his seven-furlong specialists, Smith N Allan Oils and Mr Bountiful, down from Denton for the closing littlewoodspoker.com Handicap.

Smith N Allan Oils (4.30) has already won three times over the past few weeks and if the breaks go his way again, he seems sure to be involved in the shake-up. But don't discount Mr Bountiful, worthy of a saver on a track he showed a distinct liking for in the past.

* Officials at the Jockey Club are planning a summit meeting in a bid to increase transparency in bloodstock deals.

Although the Jockey Club have no regulatory powers over the bloodstock market, they are planning to invite the Federation of Bloodstock Agents, the Racehorse Owners' Association, National Trainers' Federation, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, as well as representatives of the major sales companies, to discuss the matter.

The Jockey Club introduced a code of conduct last year to provide guidance for trainers in their dealings with owners but executive director Christopher Foster said: ''In this day and age, all deals should be transparent.

''The bloodstock industry needs to take a close look at its agency arrangements.

''In March last year, we took steps to address this issue in the areas we regulate by introducing a Code of Conduct designed to increase transparency in dealings between trainers and owners.

''The code made particular reference to the dissatisfaction which can arise from undisclosed commissions or other financial benefits in connection with the purchase or sale of horses.

''The attention of all owners coming into racing has been drawn to the Code of Conduct.

''Owners are entitled to ask for full disclosure of the financial details of a purchase or sale."