MIDDLEHAM'S Andy Crook despatches Matmata de Tendron (4.10) to Leicester with high hopes of victory in the A&A Racing Handicap Chase.

The former Flat jockey turned trainer is a tad short on firepower, low numbers that hardly reflect his true ability given Andy's brilliant handling of Ryalux, successful in the 2003 Scottish Grand National.

Matmata de Tendron isn't in Ryalux's league, however Crook has brought the six-year-old nicely to the boil judged by the selection's latest encouraging efforts when finding the frame on visits to Sedgefield and Carlisle.

At Leicester's most recent meeting a fortnight ago, Sharon Wyatt's Looking Forward (2.10) was still bang in contention until sending his jockey skywards with a mother-and-father of a mistake at the third last fence.

The Brompton-on-Swale based handler does well with her small string, so provided Looking Forward is none the worse for that untimely spill, the gelding is worth keeping in mind for the opening Michael Cannon Handicap Chase.

Russ Garritty, charged with the responsibility of getting Looking Forward round in one piece, might also be on the mark with Moor Spirit (3.40).

Peter Beaumont's glory days with the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Jodami, are now but a distant memory, although at least Moor Spirit is keeping the stable flag flying with three wins from his last four starts.

Musselburgh's curtain raiser should by rights fall to Premier Dane, who in football-speak is nothing short of penalty for the Lagoons Juvenile Hurdle.

Admittedly plenty of spot-kicks have been fluffed in the past, however seeing as Premier Dane (2.00) won no lesser event than the Scottish Triumph Hurdle last time out, he stands head-and-shoulders above the opposition.

Premier Dane's trainer/jockey combo of Nicky Richards and Brian Harding team up again in the later EBF Novices Hurdle with First Cry (3.00).

There was a flood of money for the gelding on his debut at the track in May 2005, a bumper race which incidentally was run on the sort of quick surface he'll encounter this afternoon.

Forced down to 7-4 market leader, favourite backers were a shade unfortunate not to collect when First Cry lost out by inches in a bob of heads to Len Lungo's 9-4 shot, Malt de Vergy.

The feature event on the card, £12,000 Horserace Betting Levy Board Handicap Hurdle, presents Dont Call Me Derek (4.00) with a great opportunity to make amends for a dismal Doncaster flop in early December.

Quite what went wrong with John Quinn's gelding is a complete mystery in view of the fact "consistency" has been his middle name during the previous couple of seasons.

Let's face it, we're all entitled to the occasional off day, a repeat of which appears unlikely in the valuable two miler, especially with the excellent Doug Costello booked to reduce Dont Call Me Derek's big weight by 5lbs.

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