MADAM CAVERSFIELD (12.40, Ludlow) appears nothing short of a proverbial penalty kick for the opening Juvenile Novices Selling Hurdle at Ludlow.

The David Evans-trained three-year-old looks in a league of her own after two placed efforts from four outings over the sticks, form which suggests she's head-and-shoulders above today's opponents.

Already twice successful on the Flat in 2005, Madam Caversfield showed herself potentially capable of additionally scoring under National Hunt rules by finishing third in far better company on a recent visit to Warwick.

The £15,000 Tanners Wines Handicap Chase features Tribal Dancer, who in common with so many of the nap selections during the past three weeks has had the misfortune to occupy the runners-up spot.

Tribal Dancer (2.10) is an exuberant trail-blazing individual, supremely well suited to Ludlow's sharp right-handed track, which certainly doesn't favour hold-up horses.

The slight problem from a purist's point of view about backing the gelding stems from the fact that he must shoulder 4lbs of overweight for the three-mile stamina test.

Many professional players simply wouldn't entertain such a bet, but Tribal Dancer has an outstanding record at the course and is therefore well worth the risk.

The two-mile Champagne Handicap Chase will be a fast and furious affair in which Tribal Dancer's stablemate, Lorient Express (2.40), is fancied to complete a well-deserved hat-trick.

Venetia Williams has her gelding in A1 shape judged on a smooth brace of victories at Folkestone and Doncaster. He was particularly impressive at the last-named venue, giving jockey Sam Thomas an armchair conveyance as the partnership breezed by their hapless rivals.

Sooner or later Wolverhampton-bound Legal Set (12.50) is going to take advantage of his lenient lowly rating.

Ann Stokell's sprinter has positively plummeted down the handicap and, although clearly not as good as he used to be, might still possess sufficient speed to capture the opening Winvic Construction Banded Stakes.

John Quinn's Goldstar Dancer (3.20), three times a winner over the sticks, reverts to the level for a crack at the closing mile-and-a-half event.

I was on hand to witness Goldstar Dancer's latest hurdling first-past-the-post at Catterick, a triumph that was eye-catching in more ways than one since the Malton raider not only won convincingly, but also gave the impression of thriving physically.

Finally to Lingfield, where Hollow Jo (12.00) and Sir Haydn (3.00) have every chance of completing a double for Newmarket handler John Jenkins.

Hollow Jo made a welcome return to the winners' circle a fortnight ago, while Sir Haydn has been no stranger to success at the Surrey track over the past couple of years.

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