SUE SMITH'S superb record at Sedgefield seems all set to be maintained by Flake (4.00) in the Betfred Poker Handicap Hurdle.

Smith very rarely leaves the track empty handed, Flake contributing to the Bingley-based handler's outstanding course statistics by notching a victory at the venue over fences on New Year's Eve in 2004.

The fact that the selection now reverts to the smaller obstacles shouldn't present any particular problems, especially as the five-year-old is able to perform on his much-favoured soft ground.

By far and away the most interesting runner on the card is the once-raced Echo Point (2.45), who has joined the powerful Nicky Richards stable having made a winning debut for Ger Lyons in a Fairyhouse bumper eight months ago.

Using the Irish evidence, Echo Point is clearly a high-class recruit and barring accidents it's quite possible he'll give jockey Brian Harding an armchair conveyance in the EBF Novices' Hurdle.

The winning rider of the John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle will definitely deserve a beer courtesy of the sponsors having pushed and shoved through the mud for the neck end of three-and-a-half-miles.

Admittedly there aren't any stars on show, however the Official Handicapper reckons the top-weight, Colmcille (2.10), is the best horse in the race - so in what is a tight-knit affair it may pay to row in with that esteemed opinion.

Further south at Cheltenham, there could be some fireworks in the Arkle Novices' Handicap Chase with 15 relatively inexperienced jumpers having to negotiate a stack of fearsome fences.

Punters seeking a horse to at least get round in one piece could do worse than side with Muttley Maguire, whose inch-perfect precision impressed two or three times earlier this year.

Brendan Powell's raider was seen at his best when lowering the colours of hot-favourite, Rigarole, on a visit to Worcester in May.

There's little doubt the latter was well below par, but Muttley Maguire (2.35) still had to take advantage and in the end won decisively.

With £18,000 up grabs in the Jewson Handicap Hurdle Final, it's not surprising to see several up-and-coming young guns pitching for first prize.

It takes a mixture of courage and class to master the notoriously steep uphill climb to winning line at Prestbury Park, and the one to make most appeal on both counts is Smart Boy Prince (4.20).

When it comes to the "get down and graft stakes", this fellow has a hard work ethic second-to-none. And it was that merit worthy trait which came to the fore in no uncertain fashion when Smart Boy Prince made all to score at Towcester last time out.

Towcester's undulating circuit is almost as testing as this afternoon's test, therefore don't expect the Charles Smith-trained four-year-old to be wilting when rider Wayne Hutchinson pours yet more oil on the fire over the final couple of flights.

l The Market Man put in a fine performance under Marcus Foley to land the feature Thwaites Smooth Beer Handicap Hurdle on the first day of Cheltenham's new season.

Nicky Henderson's five-year-old was sent off the 9-2 joint-favourite and jumped to the front two flights from home.

And despite Tony McCoy driving runner-up Fire Dragon with all his might, Henderson's charge held on by a length and a quarter, with Goblet Of Fire staying on well for third.

Barry Simpson, racing manager to winning owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: ''We came here with a view to taking him out of the race but it is lovely, good ground, which we have always thought he wanted.''

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