TRAINER Andy Crook goes back to war with Trooper (1.55) in the St Mowden Handicap Chase at Sedgefield this afternoon.

Trooper, a horse with a dubious attitude, has been called all sorts of rude names in the past.

Although it's a little early to say if he a reformed character, there was no doubting his hunger for the heat of battle when out-gunning his rivals for a convincing eight- length track and trip success a fortnight ago.

But he does not have the services of the suspended Tony Dobbin, who gave him such an excellent ride.

Fortunately Crook has recruited a more-than-able substitute in the shape of Jim Crowley to partner his ten-year-old in the stamina-sapping three-mile-three-furlong contest.

Crowley, one of the most underrated jockeys treading the boards on the National Hunt circuit, has the ability to be either sympathetic or forceful with his mount, depending on how roguish or not Trooper is feeling.

The earlier John Wade Skip Hire Selling Hurdle is scheduled to be run over a similar trip, and in view of the recent wet weather contestants will likely be reduced to nigh on walking pace by the time they reach the finishing line.

The diminutive mare Eileen Alana, a previous course and distance winner, should be thereabouts at the finish.

But Marico (1.25) is potentially the best-handicapped individual in the race. He has a point-to-point victory to his name, and put in a sterling effort at Taunton recently over what was arguably a totally inadequate distance of two-and-a-half-miles on one of the sharpest tracks in the country.

The feature contest on the card, the £12,500 Tote Betexpress Handicap Hurdle, might well turn out to be a one-two for Lenny Lungo, represented by Freetown (2.55) and Full Irish.

It could be tight, but the former just gets the nod on the evidence of his wonderful victory at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Pertemps Hurdle Final.

In the closing Levy Board Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle, look no further than Poachers Run (3.55).

Apart from the indomitable Mary Reveley, George Moore is by far and away numerically the most successful trainer at the course, aided by Poachers Run, bidding for her fourth track success.

* Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Rock Of Gibraltar, who carried his red and white colours to a record-breaking seven successive Group One races, and has been retired to Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

Ferguson said: ''I cannot adequately express the pleasure I have derived from the association with such a great horse.