FROST foiled Wetherby's first attempt to run the Castleford Chase just after Christmas, but undeterred the racecourse management have enterprisingly slotted the valuable two-mile event in the middle of this afternoon's fixture.

Eight go to post for the £50,000 feature, but barring accidents there can be only one winner and that is Well Chief (2.05).

Although Martin Pipe is bringing a boat-load of his horses up from Somerset to plunder the North Yorkshire track, this is the one with real class after successes at both the 2004 Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

Pipe's six-year-old chestnut produced a brilliant turn of foot to win the "Arkle", then a couple weeks later he showed no ill-effects from that bruising contest to double up in the Maghull Cognac Chase at the Grand National meeting.

The selection has only run twice since, proving he retains all of his ability by getting to within 1-lengths of the last two Queen Mother Champion Chase winners, Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop, in last month's Tingle Creek at Sandown.

The preceding skybet.com Handicap Hurdle is certain to be run at a fast and furious lick given the presence of another strongly-fancied Pipe representative, Lirta (1.30).

Lirta's charismatic front-running style has yet to bring reward this term, but his turn will come and if jockey Timmy Murphy can judge the early pace to perfection, I believe he'll have enough fuel left in the tank to repel any challenge emerging from the closing pack.

Tim Easterby chose Boxing Day for Kings Bounty (3.10) to make his reappearance, and the gelding plugged on gamely to take third place money over 2 miles.

Ideally the gelding needs a bit further in order to excel, so Easterby has whipped his horse out just eight days later to participate in a £10,000 Handicap Chase, in which he has a further six furlongs to travel.

The combination of extra distance, plus the edge last week's blow-out will have put on King's Bounty's fitness, is precisely what is required for Russ Garritty's mount to come out on top.

In the extended 2-mile Novices Hurdle, Diamond Mick, who recently supplied the column with a 9-1 winning nap at Kelso, is once again entrusted with the day's best bet.

Despite Diamond Mick (2.40) being lumbered with a 7lb penalty for that initial triumph, the good news is that he's been upped in trip by three furlongs.

Rider Rose Davison literally stole the race from the front at Kelso, because she booted the five-year-old ahead at the halfway stage and never stopped pushing thereafter.

The fact that Diamond Mick was still galloping on with great resolution as he passed the finishing line suggested to me that stamina was his main forte. His trainer, Ruth Elliott, has also taken this key factor on board, giving her charge every opportunity to complete a well-deserved double.

David Nicholls begins his traditional New Year assault on the all-weather circuit at Southwell with a couple of runners at the Midlands venue.

Awake might not be able to hold sway with Massey (12.45) in the opener, but Nicholls could have better luck with Prince Dayjur (1.50), a leading light for the Bet Direct Selling Stakes.