LEADING National Hunt trainer Malcolm Jefferson briefly switches his attention to the Flat at Southwell this afternoon where Clarinch Claymore (2.10) gets the chance to complete a superlative four-timer.

The selection has provided the stable with a much-needed boost in recent weeks following the news that an injury to Jefferson's ace hurdler, Dato Star, seems almost certain to prevent him from competing for the remainder of this season.

Clarinch Claymore has had no such problems, rattling off three straight wins, the last two of which have come over course and distance.

Bearing in mind that spectacular run of success, he has not been too harshly treated by the Official Handicapper, running off a mark of just 65 today.

Jockey Jimmy Quinn, booked to ride Clarinch Claymore, has another decent opportunity to get on the scoresheet slightly earlier aboard Doodle Bug (12.40).

Rookie Middleham handler Jedd O'Keeffe, responsible for the three-year-old filly, has had a frustrating start to his training career, failing as yet to find the winners' enclosure, despite a handful of near-misses.

But it's entirely possible that Doodle Bug could be the one to set the record straight for O'Keeffe, having shown a good deal of promise during a summer campaign on turf when in the care of Trevor Watson.

After back-to-back victories at Newcastle and Huntingdon, Torso (2.20) is sure to be a warm order to complete a hat-trick in the £7,500 Showcase Race over jumps at Uttoxeter.

Mary Reveley's four-year-old is improving hand-over-fist, so barring accidents he should oblige albeit at miserly odds.

Under-achiever Percy Crow (2.50) will never have a better chance to come good than in the St Mowden Handicap Chase, an event in which he should have far too much finishing speed for his four rivals.

Brian Eckley's Folkestone-bound trail-blazing mare Saint Cecilia (2.00) set off too fast for her own good when running out of puff soon after turning for home at Chepstow a fortnight ago.

Although she'll need to be ridden with a little more restraint in order to claim the Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle at the Kent course, I still believe Saint Cecilia is at her best when allowed to dominate from the front.

l Flagship Uberalles will miss the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, it was announced yesterday.

Noel Chance's six-year-old suffered an over-reach when winning his second Tingle Creek Trophy at Cheltenham last Saturday and his participation on Boxing Day had been in doubt ever since.

Chance said that there would not be enough time to train the horse for the race in view of the injury.

''I'm not prepared to gamble with the horse's future,'' he said.

''The injury is a lot better but it hasn't cured and as it's on the bulb of the heel it will take a bit of time. I am therefore not running Flagship Uberalles at Christmas and he will probably go for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February.

''He is definitely on target for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.''

Flagship Uberalles had been an 8-1 chance with Ladbrokes for the King George.

l Jockey Seamus Durack is set to make his return to race-riding at Uttoxeter today.

The rider has been out of action since breaking his right leg in a fall from Lord Alexander in a novice chase at Worcester on September 9.

Durack will ride Ready To Rumble for trainer Noel Chance in today's EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Qualifier.

The jockey saw Dr Michael Foy yesterday and reported: ''He looked me over and I can get back riding tomorrow.

''It will be nice to get back and I've a few nice horses to look forward to.

''With a bit of luck I can get back into the swing of things.'