RICHARD GUEST'S superb start to his training career looks all set to continue this afternoon at Wetherby with Vidi Caesar (2.10) in the opening Irish Day Novices Hurdle.

Like a few of Guest's inmates, Vidi Caesar is an import from New Zealand. Traditionally horses from the antipodes have done well in this country and Vidi Caesar is going to be no exception judged on two highly promising runs in the UK to date.

The eight-year-old made particularly eye-catching late headway at Catterick last time out over two miles and looks capable of massive improvement now that he is stepped up another half-mile.

Money-spinning Altay just can't stop raking in the cash. Already successful once over hurdles at Musselburgh and twice on the Flat at Lingfield during the winter, Altay's (2.45) supreme versatility suggests he will be a leading contender for the most valuable prize on the card, the £10,000 Tote Trifecta Hurdle.

It seems both codes come alike to Altay, who is particularly well suited to a fast surface and therefore will not be inconvenienced by the drying ground at the North Yorkshire course.

Billy McKeown combines farming with training a handful of horses at Wideopen, near Newcastle, although he hasn't had a great deal to crow about so far in the current jumps' campaign.

It's a very tough for the likes McKeown, who has only got limited firepower. There could be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel with the emergence of Capricorn (3.55), in with a great shout for the Jim Dent "Lifetime In Racing" Novices' Hurdle.

Capricorn was well beaten at Carlisle last time out, but he probably wasn't suited by the quagmire he encountered on that occasion.

Given today's much faster surface, plus the assistance of Tony Dobbin in the saddle, McKeown might easily have the pleasure of greeting his five-year-old back to the winners' enclosure.

Alan Swinbank is the master at producing bumper horses and he's come up with yet another smart young performer, Enhancer, seeking out a three-timer in the closing Blarney Stone National Hunt Flat Race.

To be fair Swinbank's task has been made somewhat easier by Enhancer's stunning Flat-race pedigree - he's a son of the outstanding sire Zafonic, out of a Lyphard mare.

The official going was described as "firm" when the selection last won at Hexham in September and clearly Alan has been waiting for the sun to shine before bringing his progressive five-year-old back to the well.

Tony McCoy's enforced holiday due to broken collarbone sustained at last week's Cheltenham Festival has made way for several potential winning rides going spare at Fontwell.

Prior to the mishap, McCoy's services had been secured for the likely winner of the opener at Fontwell, Spud One (2.20). In Tony's absence the lucky candidate to take his place is fellow leading rider Richard Johnson.

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