Dice favour Black Jack

Jonjo O'Neill and Paul Nicholls are both desperate to get another race into their respective stars prior to next month's Festival, where they're expected to clash in the Grade 1 SunAlliance Hurdle.

Neither trainer would consider today's venue as ideal, but as cold weather continues to play havoc with the fixture list the JPCS Novices Hurdle represents one of the few remaining suitable options for a prep contest.

Since Black Jack Ketchum (3.35) and Denman both defend unbeaten records, one will have to submit for the first time and although it's hard to choose, the former just gets the nod from this quarter.

O'Neill's seven-year-old is a hold-up performer, whereas Denman prefers to make the pace. So in what could turn out to be a tactical affair, Black Jack Ketchum might be best placed to cut down his main rival near the finish.

The opening EBF Novices Hurdle features four useful young horses, Unjust Law, Bumper, Call Oscar, and Hibernian.

Bumper, from the back-to-form Martin Pipe team, might easily step up on his recent Folkestone second spot, but preference is still marginally for Call Oscar (1.30).

Colin Tinkler's gelding created a favourable impression when runner-up at Ludlow to Rosecliff, a race in which the front two cleared right away from the remainder.

Richard Guest's stable has not exactly been setting the world alight of late, but he's the type of guy to fight fire with fire and keep his string going until they get back in the groove.

Donovan (2.30) is a typical case in point as the seven-year-old could be described as something of an under-achiever in view of the nature of his inconsistency.

Doubtless Donovan also has Richard scratching his head in frustration, but the fact remains he possesses sufficient ability to claim the Gredlington Novices Chase.

Despite Ayr being threatened by heavy frost, if the Meteorological Office do get their sums wrong then Green Ideal (4.50) should not be ignored.

Green Ideal was most impressive over a slightly shorter trip at the Scottish course last time, a victory which promised more to come, especially now Ferdy Murphy's raider has got his jumping act together.

Barring thick fog or a blanket of snow, Wolverhampton's all-weather meeting must by rights proceed and pave the way for Sonntag Blue (4.30) to upstage some better-fancied opponents.

Hard-pulling Sonntag Blue is bound to be on the front end, which is no bad thing because there's a strip of faster ground on the far rail, precisely the place jockey Chris Catlin will head for once the stalls fly open.

* Ayr (6.45am) and Bangor (8am) must pass inspections this morning as frost threatens both meetings.

* Henrietta Knight has confirmed Racing Demon will take up an option at Exeter on Sunday rather than run in tomorrow's Kingmaker Novices Chase at Warwick. The six-year-old has been denied a recent outing but Knight hopes the ante-post Arkle Trophy favourite can enhance his reputation at the Devon track.

He is set to run in the South West Racing Club Novices Chase over two miles and three furlongs, a race which the Wantage trainer hopes will put him spot on for Cheltenham.

''Exeter is the only option now, he won't be going to Warwick," said Knight. ''He is going to Exeter because Timmy (Murphy) can ride him there."

* Jamie Spencer faces a further wait to find out if he faces punishment under the 'non-triers' rule' after today's disciplinary hearing at Jockey Club headquarters in London was adjourned before it had even started.

Legal argument over the case commenced before the scheduled start time of 10.30am and continued for over two hours before it was agreed to defer proceedings.

The reigning champion jockey was summoned along with Irish trainer Seamus O'Donnell to answer questions concerning the running of Mickmacmagoole at Southwell in November.

The case was referred after the horse's apparent improvement in form when winning a banded stakes race when well-backed at the same track three weeks later.

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