UNDERRATED Upswing (12.40) possesses the potential to spring a major surprise in the Nidd Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby.

Upswing has only run once this season, defying his somewhat portly appearance to occupy a perfectly respectable fourth spot over course and distance in November. I was on hand to witness that performance and to my way of thinking jockey Kenny Johnson was not hard on his mount.

The combination plotted a wide course up the home straight, forfeiting a few valuable lengths in the process. In Kenny's defence, maybe the Newcastle-based jockey was seeking to get away from the far rail, where the ground tends to be far more churned up.

Whatever the tactical merits for steering a slightly unconventional path, Upswing is almost certain to strip a far fitter individual as a direct result of that outing, and in a race little better than a seller he represents good value at likely odds of 12-1 or more.

Mick Easterby has been quick off the mark to secure the services of Tony McCoy for The Nomad (1.15), fancied to defy top-weight in the Wharfe Novices' Handicap Chase.

McCoy has a good record when teaming up with Mick's horses in the north and The Nomad, four times victorious over the smaller obstacles last season, has all the makings of shaping up into a more-than-useful chaser.

According to most sets of speed figures, Tony is also set fair for an armchair ride aboard Druids Confederacy (2.25) in the Rye Mares' Only Novices Hurdle.

The Charles Egerton-trained six-year-old pulled a country mile clear of her rivals when making a winning debut over hurdles at Towcester in December.

Although Druids Confederacy has picked up a 7lb penalty for that runaway success, it shouldn't really bother the fast-improving Lambourn raider.

The Grey Dyer (3.00), arguably the unluckiest loser of the season to date, bids for compensation in the following Ouse Handicap Chase.

Len Lungo's gelding was two lengths ahead of his opponents and seemingly in command at Haydock on November 29, only for his young and relatively inexperienced rider, Gary Berridge, to take the wrong course when approaching the final fence.

It was a blunder of epic proportions and just to rub salt in the wound the Handicapper saw fit to raise The Grey Dyer's rating by 4lb. I'd called that pretty harsh and hope for the sake of the connections that the selection can withstand the hike in the weights with the ever-reliable Tony Dobbin replacing the hapless Berridge.

Michael Dods sends Smith N Allan Oils down to Lingfield in the hope of making it three wins from his last four visits.

Unfortunately there's a the fly in the ointment, namely Superchief (12.30), who re-opposes Smith N Allan Oils on 6lb more favourable terms after only a half-length separated the pair over track and trip just seven days ago.

Superchief has been a grand old scout for trainer Brooke Sanders over the past few years and even though he's now getting a bit long in the tooth might still have sufficient life left in his legs to gain revenge.

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