YORKSHIRE-TRAINED Europa (2.25) has the class to beat the southern boys on their own patch at Kempton this afternoon.

Thomas Tate has always thought highly of Europa, who has vindicated his handler's opinion with a brace of victories over fences at Hexham and Catterick.

And inbetween those two successes he finished third in a red-hot Newbury Novices' Chase won by Armaturk.

But it might well have been a different story had Europa not given the third last obstacle an almighty clout, which effectively stopped the six-year-old in his tracks.

Europa's a fine big rangy horse with the potential to hit the heights achieved by other Tate stars such as Ask Tom.

But he first must dispose of the likes of Valley Henry in the £7,000 Asita Novices' Chase at the south London track.

Valley Henry, trained by Somerset-based maestro Paul Nicholls, has also won two races over the bigger obstacles.

Unfortunately he blotted his copybook with a crashing fall last time out and on the whole his jumping has appeared to be somewhat suspect.

Few mares can boast the sort of consistency shown by Bin It (3.00) this term, never once out of the first two in her previous five starts.

On her latest outing at Fontwell she was giving away lumps of weight when battling through some of the worst ground I have ever seen to finish second to Cullen Bay.

It was a really gutsy performance, just the type of run to give her supporters maximum confidence for the Paddock Suite Mares Only Handicap Hurdle.

Luzcadou is an interesting contender for the £10,000 Showcase Handicap, although I've got a feeling he's being lined up for one of the valuable Cheltenham Handicaps. Watch this space.

In the closing French Street Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase, Andy's Birthday (4.45) has to enter calculations on the evidence of his latest second placing behind Ello Ollie at Leicester.

Sue Wilton's gelding has dropped a few pounds since the start of the season and will not mind the heavy rain due to hit the course at about dawn, according to the weather forecasters.

Jonjo O'Neill makes a rare sortie on the flat to Wolverhampton with Globe Runner (1.35) in division two of the Bet Direct Amateur Riders' Handicap.

Globe Runner is fit from hurdling and to be fair was a useful middle-distance stayer on the level way back in 1997.

He's been rated as high as 131 over timber so it's not difficult to envisage him being involved in the shake-up.

Safinaz (2.10) missed the break then ran all round the houses and still finished over track and trip last week! She must be worth a bet in the Bet Direct Maiden Stakes.

Royal Expression (4.30) threw all of his toys out of the pram and virtually refused to race at Southwell recently. He was 3-1 joint favourite that day and is worth one final chance to redeem his reputation in the two-mile Selling Handicap.