MOONLIT HARBOUR (1.50) shapes as though he's about to open his account over fences at Newcastle today.

There was more than a modicum of encouragement about the six-year-old's most recent run at the course when finishing third, albeit a respectable distance behind Wild Cane Ridge and Eskimo Pie.

Far from being mugs, the latter two young horses both have a decent future mapped out, a career path along which Moonlit Harbour also seeks to tread, starting with the £12,000 Bet365 Novices Chase.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy has found a suitably "soft" target for his gelding, who was restricted to just a couple of outings last term, doubtless due to the stresses and strains of National Hunt racing.

Murphy might also be in the money via Ile Maurice (12.20), a massive eye-catcher when making significant late headway in an above-average event at Sedgefield a fortnight ago.

The first two home on that occasion, Charlotte Vale and Sabreflight, represent ultra-reliable yardsticks and it's hard to imagine there's not stacks more improvement to come from Ile Maurice.

Richard Guest has gone on record to say his inmates have been not all been 100 per cent fit by virtue of tucking into the unusually rich grass for the time of year.

There's nothing like a racecourse sharpener to solve this type of problem and North Landing didn't do too badly when making the frame on a visit to Carlisle 11 days ago.

All previous evidence suggests this afternoon's two-mile trip for the St James Security Handicap Hurdle is on the short side for the selection, but the prevailing heavy ground is an ideal panacea for that particular drawback.

Malton-based Robert Winston makes a welcome comeback to the saddle at Lingfield, where he has his first rides after an ugly jaw-breaking fall last August.

The accident was bad enough, but in addition Winston has been battling alcoholism and by his own admission has since taken time out in an Irish rehabilitation centre.

Robert is a nice guy and brilliant jockey, so let's hope his return is marked by a winner aboard Charnock Bates One (3.40), a leading contender for the closing betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

* Mel In Blue took full advantage of hot favourite Turpin Green's disappointing effort to land the Paris Pike Novices Chase at Kelso.

The winner was trained by Banbury-based Robert Waley-Cohen and was well ridden by his son, Sam.

Waley-Cohen junior sent Mel In Blue on at halfway in the 2-mile test and apart from a mistake two out, the 5-1 shot always looked like holding off South Bronx and Turpin Green.

At the line Mel In Blue had two and a half lengths to spare over South Bronx.

Tony Dobbin never looked comfortable on Turpin Green, the 1-2 market leader, and was five lengths adrift in third.

Turpin Green was clearly feeling the effects of a hard-fought victory at Carlisle ten days ago and trainer Nicky Richards took full responsibility for the horse's lacklustre display.

He said: ''I was too quick on him. He was never going with any fluency. Sometimes it's easy afterwards but I made the biggest mess up since I started training, with this horse, there's no doubt about that."

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