DIAMOND SAL should make no mistake in her bid to uphold Mary Reveley's superb record at Newcastle today.

Reveley is by far and away the most successful trainer at the Tyneside venue over the past five years, unsurprising with the likes of Diamond Sal (3.20) at her disposal.

Having finished runner-up in pretty good company on her only two outings, the six-year-old appears to have been found a clear-cut opportunity to go one better in the two-mile Mares' Only bumper race.

Diamond Sal must first overcome her November track and trip conqueror, Heckley Clare Glen. However on 7lb better terms for a half-length defeat, the change-round in the weights should by rights enable Mary's promising six-year-old to exact sweet revenge.

Yesterday's news of Davy Russell's departure from the top slot at Ferdy Murphy's powerful stable was a real bolt-from-the blue.

In a sport where loyalty counts for plenty, Russell has paid the price for retaining too stronger links with his native Ireland, where he was picking up too many niggling injuries on his regular Sunday excursions.

Certainly not the reason for his exit, nonetheless a bit a of clanger all the same, Russell failed to sit tight aboard Green Ideal, who appeared poised for victory at Ayr in December, only to unseat Russell at the final fence.

Paddy Aspell, one of the riders nominated by Murphy to be used in the future, now gets the leg up on Green Ideal (1.20) in the Saltwell Signs Beginners' Chase.

The versatile gelding has already won on the flat, over hurdles, and with the help of a clear round might easily complete his portfolio by breaking the ice over fences.

In view of the soft state of the ground, it is very doubtful whether all of the runners starting out in the three-mile James Fletcher Hire Marquee Handicap Handicap Chase will cross the finishing line.

Twelve months ago Roman Outlaw was victorious, regrettably he's become such an unpredictable customer that another previous course and distance winner, Sleepy River (2.50), gets the vote.

Kate Milligan's bottom-weight, once talked of as a potential Grand National contender when trained by Jonjo O'Neill, has clearly had his problems over the years. Nevertheless Thornton has her small but select string in decent fettle, and Sleepy River was by no means disgraced when fourth on his comeback outing in December.

The nap selections have been going extremely well lately and in a bid to bolster our rising fortunes even further, a shilling or two is recommended on Peggy Sioux (12.50) in the opening BBC Radio Newcastle Mares' Only Hurdle.

There's no telling what starting price she'll be having been backed in from 20's to 12-1 at Sedgefield a week ago. The punt briefly looked like coming good when she hit the front two out, unfortunately Peggy Sioux paid the penalty for pulling too hard in the early stages of the contest and was soon back-pedalling.

For my money neither did she stay the 21-furlong trip that day, so the decision of Stocksfield-handler Alastair Charlton to return to two miles makes perfect sense in desperately poor heat.