RISING star-of-the-saddle Jodie Mogford stands on the brink of yet more big-race success aboard Ambleside (2.35) in the most valuable race of the day, the £35,000 Tote-sponsored John Hughes Memorial Chase at Chepstow.

The majority of the ten-runner line-up, including Ambleside, will most probably be returning to the course for the Welsh Grand National later in the month, but in the meantime this juicy prize represents a very tempting dress rehearsal

Charlie Mann's Moral Support is likely to go off favourite, having rattled off a rapid three-timer in seemingly effortless fashion.

Edmond, Atavistic and Arlas are also strong contenders, all of which sets up the possibility of a rewarding starting price to be had for the talented Sarah Williams-trained nine-year-old.

Mogford's mount, twice successful at the track last season, is best when allowed to bowl along in front. With several of the other major contenders undoubtedly requiring an even more severe test of stamina, Ambleside's extra pace could have them all in trouble right from flag fall.

In the preceding Keyline Builders Handicap Hurdle, Saint Cecilia (2.00) holds plenty of the aces.

Brian Eckley's game and genuine mare rarely lets a year pass without scoring at the South Wales venue, and there was nothing wrong with her prep race ten days ago when she chased home Martin Pipe's fast-improving Carryonharry.

Middleham-based Micky Hammond is more familiar than most with the peaks and troughs of the racing game because for the past two winters his horses have twice been badly struck down with debilitating attacks of the virus.

He must therefore have been filled with an ominous sense of foreboding when, during the first half of November, his powerful Middleham stable failed to produce a winner.

But then Deep Water broke the ice at Catterick a fortnight ago and Hammond's yard has since had a further five winners.

Now that the floodgates have well and truly opened Micky could easily be in the money once again at Wetherby, where he has bright prospects of his third double of the week.

First up is Peradventure (2.30) in the hotly-contested £7,000 Rocom Handicap Hurdle.

After being bought out of Richard Hannon's stable in 1999 for the hefty sum of 30,000 guineas, the handsome son of Persian Bold had quite a reputation to live up to.

And he didn't let the side down either, justifying his substantial price tag by banging in a brace of track and trip victories last term.

Following a run-of-the-mill blow out when finishing down the pack at Newcastle recently, Peradventure should now be much straighter for his attempt to record a third course success.

Next in line for Hammond is Joe Di Capo (3.35), who lines up for the Banqueting Novices' Hurdle.

He shaped with plenty of promise when fourth on his debut and is another individual bound to improve a bundle for his reappearance outing.

Sandwiched in between those two events is the feature race on the card, the Cumbrian Challenge Handicap Chase.

Although it looks a pretty competitive contest on paper, I cannot envisage anything bar a fall lowering the colours of Mary Reveley's Function Dream (3.05).

A daughter of one of National Hunt's most successful stallions, Strong Gale, the eight-year-old ex-Irish mare was simply awesome when mercilessly crushing the high-class Jungli last month.

Kim Bailey's runners at Towcester always warrant the utmost respect and I expect him to be back on the mark at the Northants track via Sir Bob (1.40).

Two weeks ago on his comeback he jumped like at cat at the course and appeared to have the race in safe-keeping three fences from home before lack of peak fitness brought about his inevitable downfall in the dying strides.

Provided Sir Bob leaps his fences with equal zest, he'll hopefully not suffer the same fate today.

At Wolverhampton the ten-race extravaganza gets under way with the extended one-mile Littlewoods Handicap.

Habitual slow-starter Hoh Gem (4.00) gave away even more ground than usual prior to finishing like a rocket to grab fourth spot at Southwell last time.

If he could break on anything like level terms with the opposition, Rod Millman's four-year-old must be in with a serious shout.

Beauchamp Magic's (9.30) love affair with the sand continued at Lingfield this week with a first success on the equitrack.

He's an even more potent force on the fibresand, a factor well worth taking into account for the closing two-mile Bet Direct Handicap, an event he bids to win for the second year in succession