Tim Easterby, who has had such an unforgettable year on the Flat, got off the mark for the jumps season at Wetherby recently.

And the Great Habton handler can be in winning form once again over hurdles with Silver Knight in the Red Square Reloaded National Hunt Fixed Brush Novices Hurdle over two miles at Haydock this afternoon.

This well-regarded sort created a very favourable impression on his debut in a Doncaster bumper last year when beating Mead by eleven lengths.

He was pitched in at the deep end on his next outing in the Championship bumper at Aintree, where he found the sharp course and the quick conditions against him.

However, he's the type to take to hurdles and, in a race that lacks any real strength in depth, he can win at the first time of asking over timber.

All Sonsilver is every inch a chaser on looks and he's one to keep a very close eye on in the Tote Credit Club Novices Chase over two miles.

Martin Todhunter's five-year-old goes straight over fences following two wins over hurdles and he'll be well suited by any of the forecast rain.

Mark Buckley has his team in good order and his Aldwych Arrow looks interesting in the Newton-Le-Willows Police Conditional Jockeys Handicap hurdle over the same trip.

Although run over two-and-a half-miles last time, he won over two miles and one furlong at Sedgefield recently and he's certainly on a fair mark for this handicap debut over hurdles.

At Ludlow, Blowing Away should be suited by the step up to three miles and he could give a good account in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle.

Although strictly held by Premiere Foulee on his latest run over two miles and two furlongs at Fontwell, this longer trip should enable him to turn the tables and, unlike the last-named, he showed he could win a race at Nottingham on the Flat earlier in the year.

David Bridgewater's stable have been relatively quiet of late but that can be changed with Yakareem, who is preferred to likely favourite Southerndown in the Court Of Hill Amateur Riders Handicap Chase over three miles.

My selection ran well over course and distance on firm ground last time and a reproduction of that run should ensure he gives a good account.

Henry Cecil hasn't had the best of seasons but his Stormy Channel looks worthy of support in the Straight Forward Events Classified Stakes over a mile at Brighton.

This lightly-raced type won over course and distance last time and, unlike several of his rivals, is open to plenty of improvement.

* Trainer Aidan O'Brien has opted to run Rock Of Gibraltar in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

In doing so, the Ballydoyle trainer finally ruled out the seven-times Group One winner going for the Classic on Breeders' Cup day at Arlington on Saturday.

The decision ends weeks of speculation regarding the Cup target of the brilliant three-year-old colt part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Luca Cumani has played down fears that the going on the turf track at Arlington will be too quick for stable star Gossamer as she takes to the stage in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Light drizzle was in the air in Chicago yesterday and further showers are now forecast for the area in the next 48 hours, ending concerns that the turf course, which remains officially ''firm'', could ride lightning-fast at the weekend.

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