FERDY MURPHY'S second-to-none record in northern staying chases should not be ignored when considering the prospects of Stan's Your Man (2.40) in the feature race at Kelso, the three-mile-and-one-furlong £10,00 Showcase Handicap.

Murphy successfully plundered a similar contest at Carlisle on Monday with Granit d'Estruval, who like Stan's Your Man had to shrug off a long absence from action prior to scoring in scintillating fashion.

Again it just went to prove the fact that Ferdy has the skill to fully prime his horses on the home gallops in preparation to strike first time out when required.

To add even further evidence to the selection's case, there are some schools of thought that are convinced Stan's Your Man is in any event best when fresh.

The theory was certainly put to the test in no uncertain terms at Perth in the spring when the eleven-year-old made light work of a near two-year break to slam a decent field over 2 miles.

Murphy would not be without a chance of taking the opening Jimmy Shand Novices' Hurdle with the former successful point-to-pointer, Thosewerethedays. But he may need a sterner test of stamina and better to rely on recent track form in the guise of Gralmano (1.05).

Despite drifting alarmingly in the betting market, Gralmano trounced his rivals on what turned out to be an extremely impressive timber debut over track and a trip in October.

Neither was Kevin Ryan's versatile gelding a mug on the level, showing flat race speed which undoubtedly stood him in good stead when he powered clear up the run-in at the course 25 days ago.

Richard Rowe isn't messing around with Behamore (3.00), chucked straight in at the deep end for the Lionel Vick Handicap Chase at Newbury.

Behamore has raced twice over fences, winning on his debut at Exeter, before disappointing at Cheltenham six months later.

Over a year has passed since then and many of his opponents possess either more experience, or a fitness advantage, but none may have that the touch of class demonstrated by Rowe's raider in the past.

Richard has a great opportunity of initiating an across-the-card double at Folkestone with Half The Pot (1.50) in the Levy Board Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Half A Pot ran a corker when chasing home Russian Court (1.50) at Plumpton three weeks ago and it's interesting to note hardly a runner from the stable has put a foot wrong since.

* Today's scheduled appeal hearing before the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee involving trainer Ed Dunlop and jockey Michael Tebbutt has been adjourned as Dunlop is unable to attend.

A revised date will be arranged as soon as possible.

Dunlop and Tebbutt were due to appear to appeal against a fine and suspension imposed on them.

It followed an incident at Nottingham this month in which they fell foul of the local stewards following the running and riding of Answered Promise on November 5.

They were unhappy about the decision of the Nottingham stewards to find Tebbutt in breach of Rule 158 and suspend him from riding for ten days and to find Dunlop in breach of Rule 155(ii) and impose a fine of £2,000.

* Hot favourite Shooting Light was yesterday described as the ''gamble of the jump season so far'' as he attracted more heavy support for Saturday's Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Coral and William Hill were both forced to slash his odds from 11-4 to 2-1 after a rush of bets.

Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: ''Shooting Light is a massive loser for us, which is a worry as he has been backed as if defeat is out of the question.

''It is no exaggeration to say that we have a one-horse book on the Thomas Pink. Shooting Light has been the biggest gamble of the jump season so far.''

Progressive chaser Shooting Light leapt to the front of the market after an impressive victory in a handicap chase at Cheltenham last month