HOWARD JOHNSON pretty much throws Percussionist (2.05) in at the deep end by sending him on a mission to Sandown today.

Just eight days ago Percussionist was making a successful jumping debut when toying with his rivals in an egg-and-spoon affair at Carlisle, but today's test for the £28,000 William Hill Winter Novices Hurdle is far tougher.

It's not often that a horse who finished fourth in the Derby gets to enter the bruising National Hunt arena, but we have big-spending owner Graham Wylie, Johnson's principal patron, to thank for lashing out on such a high-octane performer as Percussionist.

The classy former Flat recruit cleared his hurdles with adequate proficiency last week, but there was still room for improvement so jockey Graham Lee will need to bring his vast experience to bear for this tougher challenge.

Philip Hobbs' idea of upping Lacdoudal (2.35) in trip for the John Smith's Future Stars Chase makes plenty of sense.

Despite continually being scrubbed along when finishing mid-division in the 2-mile Paddy Power Gold Cup, Lacdoudal didn't lose much ground on the principals in the closing stages.

For my money it was an effort smacking of stamina rather than speed, so by rights the longer distance should be all in the game and genuine six-year-old's favour.

Having won three out of his last six starts, it's pretty safe to say Bethanys Boy (3.30) is on a steep upward curve.

Brian Ellison's handling of the progressive four-year-old has been near exemplary, handsomely illustrated by the huge market confidence behind Bethanys Boy when collecting at Southwell recently.

Although top apprentice Greg Fairley was aboard then, he's now been replaced by the equally effective Patrick Mathers, who is fancied to steer the selection to victory in Wolverhampton's 12-furlong Sky Active Handicap.

Another rapidly-improving individual, Ocean Of Dreams (1.55), bids to defy top weight for the earlier betdirect.co.uk Nursery.

The James Bethell-trained colt incurred only a 4lb hike in the weights after his latest course and distance victory - remarkably generous as most winners seem to cop nearly double that amount.

Ocean Of Dreams has a pleasing style of racing, which consists of bouncing out of the gate and giving it the gun from the word go.

Considering the tactics have worked well in the past, it'll be a major surprise if Graham Gibbons wavers from what has become a winning formula for the speedy Middleham-based juvenile.

* Richard Hughes has been given a 22-day ban by the Jockey Club disciplinary panel under the totting-up procedure.

Hughes was found guilty of improper riding on third-placed Screwdriver in the second division of the Betdirect Freephone 0800 211 222 Handicap Stakes at Lingfield on November 15.

The local stewards referred the matter to the disciplinary panel because Hughes had been suspended from riding for 21 days for interference within the previous 12 months.

The panel suspended him from riding for 22 days, of which five will be deferred until June 8, 2006.

The suspension will commence on December 9 and run until December 29 on days when Flat racing takes place.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.