BANK on Beaugency (5.00) to make it a profitable afternoon for punters at Sedgefield in the Calverts Carpets Handicap Hurdle.

Richard Guest has an impeccable record when it comes to revving up National Hunt recruits and once again he's worked the oracle on Beaugency, winner of his last three races over the sticks.

Two of those victories were at Market Rasen, either side of an impressive course and distance triumph on July 25 under almost identical fast ground conditions.

Just like the Aussies at Edgbaston yesterday, the bookies could be on the back foot from the word go if Epsom-based raider, Snow Tempest (2.30), justifies his long journey from south London in the opener.

It's no use to trying disguise the fact that Snow Tempest was a plodder when campaigned on the level, but at least he's been given a long break in order to develop physically during the summer months.

There's also the extra encouragement to be gleaned from the booking of top northern jockey, Tony Dobbin, together with the extra bonus of his stable being in pretty good heart.

Dobbin might be straight back in the money if Ball Games (3.30) reproduces his excellent Cartmel effort when beating all bar the heavily gambled winner, Aleedar.

Star Trooper and Peters Imp finished immediately behind the selection that day, and seeing as neither of them are mugs, Ball Games must surely figure in the climax of the John Wade Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Judd Street's return to Lingfield's polytrack might be the perfect panacea to his current frustrations.

The sprint-bred three-year-old has notched up no less than four third-placings in a row since collecting over track and trip much earlier on in the year.

Although hold-up specialist Judd Street (3.40) clearly acts on turf, perhaps he's a shade better on a made-made surface, especially with the benefit of a wide draw in stall 11 from where he's ideally positioned to launch his customary late charge.

Emma Lavelle's experiment of trying Stage Secret (8.25) over the shorter distance of six furlongs very nearly produced the desired result when only Kodiac proved too good from a 17-runner line-up.

A rewind of the Newbury VT reveals Stage Secret actually blew his chance with a ragged start, so as long as Steve Drowne gets his mount out of the blocks a tad quicker, the combination could be in business for Newmarket's Mineral Star Handicap.

* Ed Dunlop is considering waiting until the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 29 before running his exciting filly Nidhaal again.

The daughter of Observatory built on her debut July meeting success when finishing second to Mixed Blessing in the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Newbury last month.

The juvenile is likely to miss York's Ebor meeting as she isn't entered in the Lowther Stakes and Dunlop is musing on whether to head direct for the Group One race back at Headquarters.

He said: ''She is having a break at the moment and we're considering going straight to the Cheveley Park, although maybe we'll have a look at another race.

''She is currently very fresh and very well. She had a week in the paddock after her Newbury race and she is back cantering now. She'll have a month just doing easy canters."