BACKING Michaels Dream (1.50) might not turn out to be a nightmare at Southwell this afternoon.

Like so many of Malton-based James Hetherton's string, Michaels Dream is a dual-purpose horse, dividing his attention between the jumps and Flat.

James takes the view that you cannot make the job pay by staying at home and recently the selection has contributed handsomely to his keep by three times finishing in the frame over the sticks.

But despite showing bags of promise in the National Hunt arena, it is on the level where Michaels Dream is at his most effective, picking up a couple of turf handicaps at Beverley and Catterick in the 2002 season.

If Hetherton's five-year-old reproduced anywhere near that sort of form on the sand in the Bet Direct Banded Stakes, he should not be far away in a race which by virtue of its lowly nature will not take much winning.

The stable might also be in the money courtesy of Dash Of Magic (2.50) in the later mile-and-three-furlong Interactive Banded Stakes.

Dash Of Magic, a big strapping mare, came good big-style at the track on the third of this month, bolting in by two lengths under a positive ride from Chris Catlin.

She reappeared 24 hours later, but the exertions had clearly taken their toll and Dash Of Magic trailed in well down the field.

James has sensibly freshened up his charge by giving her a two-week break, exactly the tonic required to be at the top of her game in the £2250 contest.

The pick of the jumping action takes place at Exeter, where Newick Park (2.40) bids to complete a quick-fire hat-trick.

The move to Robin Dickin's yard has totally rejuvenated the grey gelding, said to be suffering from muscle-related problems when pulled up for Gardie Grissell on his final couple of outings last term.

Under a quite brilliant ride from young Ben Hitchcott, Newick Park demonstrated courage beyond the call of duty at Newbury last week, the pair edging out Prominent Profile in a titanic battle up the home straight.

The combination incurred a 7lb penalty for the win, and have the fast-improving Manawanui to overcome, but the nine-year-old's never-say-die attitude is hard to ignore, and he just gets the nod in the gg.com Handicap Chase.

Best bet at Folkestone is Moral Support (3.30), who despite being a shadow of his former self, should still hold too many guns for his rivals in the most valuable race of the day, the £12,000 Tote Bookmakers Chase.

* Don't forget to keep your diary free for this Saturday's meeting at Catterick. The feature race of the afternoon, the £15,000 North Yorkshire Grand National, promises to be an exciting Class C staying Chase.

There will also be a Class C Hurdle of equivalent value, the total prize money for the day exceeding £50,000 for the first time.

* Janus continued his superb run of form by napping 10-1 winner, Vortex, at Wolverhampton yesterday.

* Good conditional jockey Paddy Aspell has left the Mary Reveley team and is in the process of having his licence transferred to Brian Rothwell.

Aspell, 22, said: ''There has been no fall-out or anything like that with Mrs Reveley, but she has quite a few jockeys to call on, and while I have no set plans I want to make some more contacts before I lose my claim.

''Mrs Reveley is still holding my licence until it is switched to Brian and I am riding out two or three times for Ferdy Murphy. I need 15 more winners before I lose the claim so it is quite an important time for me.''

* French raider Jair Du Cochet heads a cast of 11 who have been entered for Saturday's Grade Two Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham.

Jonjo O'Neill's Keen Leader is not among the entries, leaving Sir Rembrandt, Truckers Tavern and Therealbandit to head the British challengers.

Jair Du Cochet overturned Best Mate at Huntingdon in November but was pulled up on on his only start since, in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton.

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