PAUL ROBSON, the brilliant young northern-based conditional rider with an ever-expanding fan club, is re-united with Star Jack (1.40) in the feature race at Wetherby today, the £16,000 Cumbrian Challenge Handicap Chase.

Robson rode the socks off some of his more experienced colleagues when he and Star Jack landed a valuable prize over two miles at the North Yorkshire track last time out.

Star Jack was out in front until beginning to hang markedly to his left as the highly-rated Tim Easterby-trained Turgeonev loomed large in his wing mirrors approaching the final fence.

Quick as a flash, Paul deftly pulled his whip through to his left hand, first straightening his mount, then galvanising Star Jack to such effect that the partnership were one length too good for Turgeonev as the pair passed the post.

Robson's lightening fast reaction shows just how far he has come in a short time. Precious few jockeys have the ability to stoke up a horse effectively under a left-hand drive, and Paul is also still entitled to claim a vital 3lb allowance.

Tony Dobbin has a couple of first class opportunities to keep his followers happy, starting with Skippers Cleuch (1.05) in the Ormskirk Novices' Chase.

Skippers Cleuch, who has only been beaten once in eight starts, made a successful transition from hurdles to fences at Carlisle 18 days ago. Many observers weren't too impressed by the way he won, although trainer Len Lungo was unperturbed.

"He jumped a little carefully, but should get better as he gains experience," declared Lungo.

Later on Dobbin gets the leg-up on Raffles Rooster (2.50), a rare spare ride for the Venetia Williams' yard.

Raffles Rooster can be a bit of a dodger at his obstacles and it's therefore far from surprising that Venetia has enlisted Tony, one of the most accomplished horsemen currently operating, to partner her ten-year-old gelding.

No mistaking the top race at Chepstow, where all eyes will be on the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, See More Business (2.20), attempting to win the John Hughes Rehearsal Handicap Chase for the second time.

The 12-year-old first won the race in 1997, but his trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's a sound and enthusiastic horse and has got plenty left. While he's in good order and enjoying what he's doing he's better off having the odd run."

Mary Reveley's decision to take Whistling Dixie (3.05) down south for Sandown's £70,000 William Hill Handicap Hurdle is a hint well worth taking.

Thirteen months ago Whistling Dixie took a trip to Down Royal in Ireland and established himself as a young hurdler to follow by picking up a really decent prize.

There have also been a couple of notable performances since, including an excellent third placing behind champion hurdle hope Intersky Falcon in the Swinton Hurdle At Haydock last May.

Sand fans have a veritable feast of Flat action to look forward to under the lights at Wolverhampton, where the ten-race marathon starts with the one-mile Bet Direct Handicap at 4pm.

Thirteen runners go to post and the one I fancy is rather cheekily-named course specialist Noble Locks.

The application of a tongue strap helped Beacon Wood (5.00) get some more air into his lungs when a fast-finishing third at the track last time out.

Mark Johnston's three-year-old is a superbly-bred son of Woodman and now that he has been stepped up in trip has distinct possibilities in the later mile-and-a-half Classified Stakes.

Jodeeka (8.30), a bitter disappointment over six furlongs when carrying the nap vote on Tuesday at Lingfield, ran too badly to be true. Jeremy Glover's mare is definitely worth another chance now that she has been switched back to the minimum trip and on a surface which suits her far better.

* Graham Bradley yesterday spoke of his anger at the Jockey Club's decision to ban him for eight years.

In a statement issued through his solicitors, Bradley denies selling information to alleged drugs dealer Brian Wright, who is still on the run.

He believes he has been made ''a scapegoat'' because of the recent bad publicity racing has received and that the penalty handed to him is ''massively excessive''.

The former leading jump jockey was warned off after he was found in breach of a series of the Rules of Racing at a three-day disciplinary hearing last week.

However, he is to appeal against the decision. The ban would mean that Bradley, who retired from race riding in 1999, would not be able to continue to earn his living as a bloodstock agent as he has been declared a disqualified person.

Bradley, 42, was given the ban after being convicted of a number of charges. These included the passing of privileged information in return for monetary consideration.

The Jockey Club declined to comment on the statement.

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