MAKING little of the French-style mini-jumps hurdles, Patriarch Express under Niall Hannity gave our Fifteen to Follow another boost at Haydock on Saturday.

Geoff Harker's charge looks a useful sort and went clear easily a long way from the line, to win easing down. This could go places for the Wensley trainer, who had sent out Fairy Skin Maker to win at Ayr the day before, Hannity also riding that.

Fellow Fifteen to Follow pick Truckers Tavern was also out at Haydock, but, for his return to action, Ferdy Murphy chose to send him over hurdles as a prep race for his chases this term. Mary Reveley won the race with Hidden Bounty, but the West Witton runner was fourth to please Murphy.

He said Truckers Tavern would probably miss the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown, which might be a bit soon, and might return to Haydock for the Tommy Whittle. In more homely surroundings, Murphy had sent out son Paul's Beacon Of Light to win a Sedgefield seller last Thursday.

George Moore sent Jungle Jinks down to Newbury on Saturday to contest the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, but this one of our 15, although running creditably, was never in a position to get in a blow and was pulled up before two out. Better luck next time.

Moore and jockey Anthony Ross had also been on Thursday's Sedgefield scoresheet with Scotmail Lad.

Mary Reveley landed the Jim Joel Memorial Trophy chase earlier with Maj J C K Young's Carrick Troop, for an across-the-card double. She followed up with the Doncaster bumper for Sir Robert Ogden, won by Golden Odyssey.

Newcastle were able to race on Saturday, having missed the Monday meeting before, and Exstoto, one of last year's 15 list, won for Richard Fahey. Brother in law Tim Easterby was on the mark with Edmo Yewkay and Brian Ellison's Great As Gold took the novice hurdle.

Howard Johnson sent out Lord Transcend to win on his chasing debut at Ayr last Friday. Graham Lee, with the flu, did not ride and this gave Tony Dobbin his 50th win of the season. The substitute jockey called him "a smashing horse."

Johnson trains this for Graham Wylie and they have added a tenth horse to the recent big-money purchases. Looking for experience, they tried to buy Jair Du Cochet, recent winner of the Peterborough Chase, but were turned down. This week it is reported that the duo spent more than £300,000 to buy Valley Henry, third in that race and fourth in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The new purchase will be aimed at the King George VI on Boxing Day at Kempton and, in the ante-post betting, Valley Henry is about 14-1 with Hussard Collonges (FtF), while Truckers Tavern is about 16-1.

Patrick Haslam has had a cracking week, winning at Doncaster with the ultra-consistent Positive Profile, at Catterick with King Revo and at Southwell on the all-weather with Mr Mischief.

King Revo gave Bishopton-born jockey Andrew Thornton his first win at the Yorkshire course, despite having ridden there since his amateur days for the late, great Arthur Stephenson.

Peter Beaumont won at Catterick with Sharpastrizam, his first success for more than 200 days. This may have been a little consolation for the Brandsby trainer and jockey Russ Garritty after the tragic loss on Saturday at Haydock of Bobby Grant, one of this column's favourite racehorses and a course specialist, who broke down in the handicap chase and had to be destroyed.

Among the entries for Saturday (which of course may or may not be confirmed) from our 15 are Our Armageddon and Silver Knight, both in the Wetherby One Man Novices' Chase. Covent Garden is due in the Sandown 1.15.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday of last week. - Sedgefield: Silent Snipe (trained by Lynn Sydall, at Colton; owned by Mrs D Ibbotson), ridden by Tony Dobbin; Beacon Of Light (Ferdy Murphy, West Witton; Paul T Murphy), Davy Russell; Scotmail Lad (George Moore, Middleham; Gordon Brown/Bert Watson), Russ Garritty; Romil Star (George Moore; M R Johnson), Anthony Ross; Liberty Seeker (Alan Swinbank, Melsonby; M Sawers), Padge Whelan (claiming 3lbs).

Friday. - Ayr: Lord Transcend (Howard Johnson, Crook; Transcend (Hair & Beauty) Ltd), Tony Dobbin; Pertino (Malcolm Jefferson, Norton; W Fouracres, T Pryke & D Wiullis), Vinnie Keane (3); Fairy Skin Maker (Geoff Harker, Wensley; The Four S), Niall Hannity (3).

Saturday. - Newbury: Carrick Troop (Mary Reveley, Lingdale; Major J C H Young), Leighton Aspell.

Haydock: Hidden Bounty (Mary Reveley; M E Foxton), Alan Dempsey; Patriarch Express (FtF) (Geoff Harker; Hb (homebred by owner or one of owners), A P Muir), Niall Hannity (3).

Newcastle: Exstoto (Richard Fahey, Malton; Hb, J D Clark & Partners), P Whelan (3); Edmo Yewkay (Tim Easterby, Great Habton; Edmokift UK Ltd), Richard McGrath; Great As Gold (Brian Ellison, Norton; Keith Middleton), Vinnie Keane (3).

Sunday. - Doncaster: Positive Profile (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Chelgate Public Relations Ltd), Richard Thornton; Golden Odyssey (Mary Reveley; Hb, Sir Robert Ogden), Andrew Tinkler (5).

Monday. - Kelso: Collier Hill (Alan Swinbank,; R H Hall), JP McNamara; Moscow Leader (Richard Guest; Miss P Overy), Larry McGrath (5).

Wednesday. - Catterick: Tiger Frog (Richard Guest; Miss C Metcalfe), Larry McGrath (5); King Revo (Patrick Haslam; Dick Renwick & Mrs C Barclay), Andrew Thornton; Sharpastrizam (Peter Beaumont; Trevor Hemmings), Russ Garritty.

Southwell AW: Cardinal Venture (Kevin Ryan, Hambleton; Tony Fawcett), Robert Winston; Mr Mischief (Patrick Haslam; Middleham Park Racing), Rory Moore (7); Trace (David Barron, Maunby; Nigel Shields), Dean Mernagh