TRUCKERS Tavern, one of our Fifteen to Follow, will be partnered by Tony Dobbin tomorrow in the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham after a shock split this week between Ferdy Murphy and stable jockey Davy Russell.

This time last year Russell first hit our headlines, the top Irish amateur chosen by Murphy to fill the place of Adrian Maguire, retired through injury.

The new boy quickly made his mark for his West Witton boss and has continued winning ways through the 14 months he has been with Murphy. But on Monday came the news that Russell, 24, had lost his ace job with the powerful jumps trainer.

Murphy said that Russell was riding in Ireland at the weekends, and not getting back to work in Yorkshire on Mondays, which caused problems at the yard. "It's a good man who can do one job but no man can do two jobs," the trainer said.

Conditional Paddy Aspell, who has been riding out for the trainer, will pick up some rides and Dobbin is also among the good northern riders the trainer will use.

Aspell, 22, has left Mary Reveley to go to Brian Rothwell's yard. He was seen last Thursday in an amazing feat at Catterick. Partnering Flight West for John Wade in the bumper (National Hunt flat race), Aspell - and the rest of the field - could scarcely be seen through the rapidly increasing blizzard.

His mount led the field but suddenly cocked its jaw to run out on the turn for home and jump the third last chase fence. Two things were noticeable - the horse will be one to follow when in its jumping career later, and Aspell's horsemanship in staying with his young mount in the dire, slippery conditions.

The race was won by Richard Fahey with Classical Ben, to add to Wuxi Venture's earlier success, both partnered by Padge Whelan. Wuxi Venture is due to turn out again today at Musselburgh and should win. Tim Easterby, Micky Hammond and permit holder Maxine Stirk were all also on the mark. Going home was more tricky and some cars and boxes took two hours or more to clear the Catterick Garrison area.

Friday's big hope at Kelso, Chivalry, did win, but not as well as expected and the Howard Johnson-Graham Wylie team are back to considering the options for the former Cambridgeshire winner. "Being realistic, you wouldn't think he'd run in the Champion (Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival)...he's still a big baby."

Altay, another of our 15, was well supported for the Lanzarote at Kempton on Saturday and was not disgraced in sixth under Padge Whelan. But his stable-mate, Swan Knight, was even better in fourth under David O'Meara behind Limerick Boy (Venetia Williams), Perouse (Paul Nicholls) and Greenhope (Nicky Henderson). Richard Fahey must have been pleased with his pair and with his recent return to top form.

At Wetherby, Ross Utley, 20, from Pontefract, a conditional (jumps apprentice) who is attached to Ferdy Murphy's yard won his first race ever, but for Scottish trainer Alistair Whillans. Alan O'Keeffe, who left Murphy's to go to Venetia Williams, won for his new boss on a rare visit back north.

Richard McGrath took a double for Chris Grant and Harry Hogarth - and should perhaps be on Ferdy Murphy's short list for riders. Tony Dobbin, who is certainly one of his choices, won for Heighington owner-trainer Don Forster on Ossmoses.

Jungle Jinks, another of our 15, ran better than his past two efforts to be third in the Tote Exacta Chase behind Keiran - but must do better. Another of our list, Far Pavilions, has been laid off for the season. Trainer Alan Swinbank said he had had some niggling problems and the advice was to let him rest.

So our hopes this weekend rest chiefly on Truckers Tavern, but he has such luminaries as Jair Du Cochet, Sir Rembrandt and the Johnson-Wylie purchase Valley Henry among listed rivals.

Other possibilities are Collier Hill today at Musselburgh, for whom Alan Swinbank has chosen another ex-Ferdy Murphy rider, J P Macnamara. Dobbin and Aspell are listed for Murphy entries and it would be no surprise to see them in the winner's enclosure.

Tomorrow, Swan Knight is entered in the 4.10 at Cheltenham, as well as Through The Rye (FtF) - the Fahey entry looks interesting. Catterick has a fascinating card, too, and Murphy-booked riders include Aspell and Utley - good luck, all.

ALL OUR WINNERS

Fifteen To Follow: Altay, A Piece Of Cake, Covent Garden, Europa, Far Pavilions (sidelined through injury), Gralmano, Hussard Collonges, Jungle Jinks, Moss Harvey, Our Armageddon, Patriarch Express, Ryalux, Silver Knight, Through The Rye, Truckers Tavern.

Thursday of last week. - Catterick: Bourgeois (trained by Tim Easterby, at Great Habton; owned by C H Stevens), ridden by Russ Garritty; Wuxi Venture (Richard Fahey, Malton; R G Leatham), Padge Whelan (claiming 3lbs appr allowance); Mexican (Micky Hammond, Middleham; L Ibbotson), Wilson Renwick; Atticus Finch (Maxine Stirk, Aldfield; permit holder), Brian Harding; Classical Ben (R Fahey; Homebred (Hb) J D Clark & Partners), P Whelan (3).

Southwell AW: (DH) Hout Bay (R Fahey; Northumbria Leisure Ltd), Fran Ferris (3), & The Fisio (A Balding); Game Guru (David Barron, Maunby; Kevin Shaw), Laura-Jayne Crawford (5).

Friday. - Kelso: Rosie Redman (Jim Turner, Norton-le-Clay; Miss S J Turner), David O'Meara (3); Chivalry (Howard Johnson, Crook; Andrea & Graham Wylie), Graham Lee.

Wolverhampton AW: Hiawatha (D Barron; Nigel Shields), Eddie Ahern.

Saturday. - Wetherby: Ossmoses (Don Forster, Heighington; D M Forster), Tony Dobbin; Cruise Leader (Chris Grant, Wolviston; Trevor Hemmings), Richard McGrath; Keiran (Harry Hogarth, Stillington; Hogarth Racing), R McGrath.

Monday. - Wolverhampton AW: Always Flying (Mark Johnston, Middleham; The Always Trying Partnership), Joe Fanning.

Tuesday. - Southwell AW: Lampos (Julie Camacho, Norton; L A Bolingbroke), Robert Winston; Platinum Charmer (Kevin Ryan, Hambleton; Platinum Racing Club Ltd), Neil Callan.

Wednesday. - Newcastle: Pendle Forest (R Fahey; Hb, Mrs Linda Miller), P Whelan (3).