TIMMY MURPHY'S trek to Ayr should not be in vain given the enticing prospect of partnering Brave Thought (1.30) in the First Foot Handicap Chase.

The southern-based jockey doesn't often travel so far north but when he does it normally pays to take heed, a point borne out by Brave Thought's success at Newcastle last term when Murphy was doing the steering.

The Official Handicapper took great exception to what was a runaway victory by whacking him up 12lb, a hike Brave Thought has found so difficult to bear that he's been unable to get his head back in front since.

These things are sent to try owners and trainers alike, but at least his ever-vigilant handler, Peter Monteith, has found a relatively soft race for his 11-year-old.

The same combination of trainer and rider team up with Lord Payne (3.10), a leading contender for the Happy New Year Beginners Chase.

Lord Payne sports the famous green and blue colours of wealthy businessman David Johnson, who bankrolls Murphy with a substantial retainer to ride the majority of his horses.

Johnson was probably cursing the fact Timmy happened to be on duty at Exeter when Lord Payne had the misfortune to be mugged ten yards from the winning line by King Barry in a thrilling Catterick clash last time out.

Tom Doyle was in the saddle that day, and although the unlucky defeat shouldn't be interpreted as incompetence on his behalf, Murphy's expert presence could just make the difference this time round.

At the other end of the land, Lingfield's card offers the opportunity to side with Stoic Leader (12.40), a gelding on the verge of returning to form judging by the eye-catching late headway he made at the track on Friday.

Both turf and all-weather surfaces suit Stoic Leader, a former course and distance winner who appears to be fantastically well in at the weights considering he rattled off a sparkling turf hat-trick last spring.

The third leg of his three-timer came at Catterick in May off a rating of 85, a whopping 19lb higher than the mark he runs off this afternoon in the seven-furlong betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

There has been plenty to like about Lenoir's (1.40) latest two efforts, each time strongly suggesting he's a three-year-old on the upgrade.

Despite the Vince Smith-trained raider going into unknown territory over the final couple of furlongs for the Freephone Handicap, everything he's achieved in the past indicates improvement is imminent now he's being stepped up in trip.

* Nas Na Riogh provided a welcome 7-2 winning nap selection for followers of Janus (Colin Woods) at Exeter yesterday.

* Tom George is eyeing a crack at the John Smith's Grand National with Lord Of Illusion following the nine-year-old's return to form at Cheltenham on Sunday.

After a lacklustre couple of runs, the gelding displayed much more zest and led for most of the way in the Cheltenham Racing Limited Handicap Chase before being reeled in late on by Joaaci.

''He will certainly be entered for the Grand National now,'' said George. ''It was a bit tacky for him, otherwise I think he might have held on.

''Ideally he wants genuine good ground, but he jumped fantastically and he really loves Cheltenham."

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