GRAHAM LEE'S rise through the ranks from journeyman jockey to top-class rider means the modest lad from Ingleby Barwick now gets to sit on class acts like Oneway (2.35) in the £25,000 Tingle Creek Chase, writes Colin Woods.

The Sandown showpiece is the real deal, a two-mile thriller poised to provide another classic, even though reigning champion and winner of the race 12 months ago, Moscow Flyer, is unfortunately missing.

By all accounts the mid-week ante-post exchanges suggest Lee's mount isn't particularly popular, being only 7-1 fourth best in the market behind Kauto Star, Ashley Brook, and Monkerhostin.

It's a fact these tight-knit affairs are notoriously hard to price up accurately, but that's the beauty of betting in championship contests because the odds are often more punter-friendly.

Apart from Oneway's lack of a recent outing his credentials are absolutely immaculate, having twice struck over course and distance last term, each time expertly handled by Lee, who likes to produce his trump cards late on the progressive eight-year-old.

Such tactics would seem to be ideal because Tony McCoy has gone on record to say he'll be lighting the blue touch paper and letting rip on Ashley Brook, robbed of his regular partner when Paddy Brennan broke his leg just last week.

With McCoy setting off like a scalded cat in front, the race might easily be set up for the hold-up stalking horses like Oneway, a clean, safe jumper with Formula One-type acceleration once Lee kicks in the turbo as heads turn gloriously for home at the Esher track.

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