OVERSTRAND bids for a five-timer tomorrow in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot and holds every chance.

Mary Reveley has handed the ride to top jockey Barry Geraghty, replacing last time's winner Ruby Walsh and earlier pilot, amateur Owyn Nelmes. Overstrand was ante-post second favourite as we went to press.

A Piece Of Cake, one of our Fifteen to Follow, is entered earlier on the Ascot card and would be worth supporting if running. Both could earn us some Christmas pennies.

Saturday we had the dilemma of three of the 15 in a head-to-head contest at Haydock in the Tommy Whittle. Andy Crook's Ryalux was prominent in the race, until fading to finish fifth. This will come on for the outing.

Peter Beaumont's Hussard Collonges led until two out and weakened, while Ferdy Murphy's Truckers Tavern was also well to the fore until hitting the third from home. Keen Leader (Jonjo O'Neill) won, but the Murphy and Beaumont horses were second and third respectively.

Both are in the King George VI at Kempton on Boxing Day, earning quotes of between 16-1 and 33-1 each ante-post.

At Cheltenham on Saturday, Patriarch Express ran well for a long way in the Relkeel Hurdle, but Geoff Harker's stable star, another of our 15, weakened to beat just one. Patrick Haslam had sent out You're Special to be second there on Friday in the Adrian Maguire Testimonial chase, and Positive Profile to a good third in the Pertemps hurdle later.

Up at Doncaster, Peter Beaumont was on the mark with Ocean Dancer and James Hetherton won with Tyndarius there next day. Haydock saw George Moore with a winner as Sir Storm powered home under Anthony Ross.

Kate Milligan and Malcolm Jefferson both took Musselburgh victories and Hexham saw John Wade back in winning form. Richard Guest took a double at the hilly course, both ridden by Larry McGrath. One was for leading jumps owner Sir Robert Ogden, the other was a homebred runner from patron Norman Mason's string.

Howard Johnson was also in double form, Graham Lee in the saddle for both. But it was the win of Royal Rosa which held all the interest, as the Crook trainer chose the quiet track to introduce the dearest purchase by owner Graham Wylie, at 340,000gns at the Doncaster sales last May.

Winner of the Punchestown Champion bumper, this was a first time over hurdles for the costly purchase. Lee had little trouble with him and he drew clear to win easily. The trainer said he might go for the Royal & SunAlliance, or for a Sandown race.

As we go to press, Catterick's meeting yesterday was the latest to fall victim to the frost. Let's hope that next week's old year-new year cards can go forward.

On the level, Royston Ffrench, in partnering a double for Bryan Smart, hit the target he set himself this year of 50 wins. Now based in Richmond, the jockey has had to work hard since leaving his apprentice days behind. He will ride for both Mark Johnston and Smart, he said.

Others in form were David Barron, and his rider Dean Mernagh, Karl Burke, Patrick Haslam, with one for the Blue Lion, and Kevin Ryan. Wins came also from Brian Ellison, Paul Johnson and Ian McInnes.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Fifteen To Follow (winners below shown as FtF): Altay, A Piece Of Cake, Covent Garden, Europa, Far Pavilions, Gralmano, Hussard Colonges, Jungle Jinks, Moss Harvey, Our Armageddon, Patriarch Express, Ryalux, Silver Knight, Through The Rye, Truckers Tavern.

Thursday of last week. - No DST area winners.

Friday. - Doncaster: mdn chs, Ocean Dancer (trained by Peter Beaumont, at Brandsby; owned by Mrs S Sunter), ridden by David O'Meara (claiming 3lbs allowance).

Southwell AW: 5f, Cash (Paul Johnson, White-le-Head; Insull, White, Pritchard & Johnson), Robby Fitzpatrick; 8f, Noul (Kevin Ryan, Hambleton; John Duddy), Robert Winston; 5f, Laurel Dawn (Ian McInnes, Leavening; Ivy House Racing), Liam Fletcher (3)

Saturday. - Doncaster: hcp chs, Tyndarius (James Hetherton, Malton; Alex Shaw), Paddy Aspell (3).

Haydock: hcp chs, Sir Storm (G Moore, Middleham; J F (Management Consultants) Ltd), A Ross.

Southwell AW: 8f, Bold Blade (Bryan Smart, Hambleton; Paul J Dixon), Royston Ffrench; 8f, Bethanys Boy (Brian Ellison, Norton; Graeme Redpath), Robert Winston; 7f, Mon Secret (B Smart; Pinnacle Monash Partnership), R Ffrench.

Monday. - Southwell AW: 5f, Scottish Exile (Karl Burke, Wensley; Mrs Melba Bryce), Darren Williams; 6f, Blakeset (David Barron, Maunby; Nigel Shields), Dean Mernagh.

Tuesday. - Musselburgh: amtr hcp chs, Mr Laggan (Kate Milligan, Middleham; Hb (Homebred by owner or one of owners) Mrs J M L Milligan), Mrs Tina Jackson (5); hcp chs, Clear Dawn (Malcolm Jefferson, Norton; Mr & Mrs J M Davenport), Graham Lee.

Southwell AW: 7f, Pawn In Life (D Barron; Laurence O'Kane), D Mernagh; 7f, Blue Empire (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Blue Lion Racing II), L Enstone (3); 7f, Sir Jasper (D Barron; Mrs Liz Jones), D Mernagh.

Wednesday. - Hexham: nov hdl, King Of The Arctic (John Wade, Mordon; John Wade), Brian Harding; amtr hcp hdl, King Of Arms (Howard Johnson, Crook; M McKernan, Miss Pauline Robson; nov hdl, Royal Rosa (H Johnson; Andrea & Graham Wylie), G Lee; nov hcp chs, Scarborough Fair (Richard Guest, Brancepeth; Sir Robert Ogden), Larry McGrath (5); nov hdl, Just The Jobe (R Guest; Hb, N B Mason), L McGrath (5)