HARRY HOOLY (3.20) heads to Sedgefield this afternoon with an ideal opportunity to end a long losing streak.

The 11-year-old hasn't won since November 2004, when in the hands of today's rider Rose Davidson he cleared right away from his rivals to record an emphatic success at Hexham.

One of Harry Hooly's principal problems since then stems from the fact he's not very big, which means the gelding has struggled to cope with fences .

Backers requiring solid evidence of shortcomings in the jumping department need only study his latest chase outing when spurning a winning chance with a catastrophic blunder three from the finish.

Perhaps that fall was the final straw as far as connections were concerned, because Harry Hooly now reverts to the smaller obstacles for the Racecourse Video Services Handicap Hurdle.

Given the reduced tariff on the selection's jumping prowess, combined with his ability to stay the extended three-mile-three-furlong trip and liking for heavy ground, punters can expect an excellent run for their money.

The Ramside Event Catering Handicap Chase presents a similar examination of stamina well suited to the out-and-out grinder, Canavan (3.20).

Ferdy Murphy's seven-year-old galloped the opposition into a drunken stupor over track and trip in January.

It was a performance which was all the more creditable considering Canavan had to do plenty of his own donkey work from the front.

Clock-watchers also have every reason to get excited about the manner of the victory in the light of a very fast time posted by the Wensleydale-based raider on that occasion.

Charlie Tango, who went off at a suicidal pace when only fourth at the most recent meeting, bids to make amends in the closing St James Security Handicap Hurdle.

Trainer David Thompson has dispensed with the services of Patrick Merrigan, the jockey on board that day, and taken the sensible precaution of booking Keith Mercer.

Mercer has made his name by utilising waiting tactics.

So it will be no surprise to see the combination lobbing round in rear and conserving energy, rather than blasting away from the tapes like a scalded cat.

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