SEDGEFIELD specialist Fatehalkhair bids for an amazing twelfth course win in £20,000 Foster's Durham National today.

"He just loves the place," said trainer Brian Ellison who added: "Fatehalkhair is in a different class to his rivals, it's simply a question of whether he stays or not. He's won on heavy ground at the track over two miles and five furlongs, but it's anyone's guess as to whether he'll get the extra distance."

The extra distance to which Brian refers is another seven furlongs for the leg-wilting three-and-a-half-mile event. Admitedly it's possibly a case of letting the heart rule the head, however I'd dearly love to see Fatehalkhair (3.45) raise the stands' roof with what would be one of the most popular victories of all time at the track.

For a race of its' nature, the preceding £12,500 Northern Racing Selling Handicap Hurdle is one of the most valuable of its kind.

Having initially appeared to be very ordinary over jumps, the John Weymes-trained Glendamah (3.15) then ran out of his skin to finish runner-up to Island Warrior over course and distance last time out.

Explosive early speed is the trademark Noble Nick (2.30), who may prove impossible to catch in the opening six furlong dash at Ripon.

David Nicholls has an unnerving habit of improving sprinters previously in the care of other trainers, a trend maintained by Noble Nick with an impressive success just 72 hours ago at Catterick.

Formerly with Hong Kong-bound Sean Woods at Newmarket, Noble Nick gained a reputation for being something of liability last year.

Most notably when flipping over and "burying" Craig Williams in the stalls at Redcar.

The free running three-year-old is also a bit of a tearaway and fair dues to Nicholls who heaped praise on the winning rider at Catterick, Tim Hamilton.

"All the credit must go to Tim, he rides Noble Nick out everyday at home," said David after the race.

It'll be no surprise if the smart money is on Mary Reveley's Loop The Loup (3.05) in the feature event on the card, the C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Handicap.

Kevin Darley's mount has tumbled down the weights, which coupled with an excellent effort over the sticks at Ayr recently augers well for the out-and-out stayer.

The race run in honour of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at Sandown is an absolute stunner with Edredon Bleu (2.15) crossing swords once again with his Cheltenham conqueror Flagship Uberalles.

Both act well at Sandown with the former just preferred back on one of his happiest hunting grounds.

Pick of the flat action at the Esher venue is the Group 2 £60,000 Attheraces Mile.

By no means an easy race to sort out, a chance is taken on Cape Town (2.50). Richard Hannon's stable has hit top gear over the past ten days and one of Cape Town's strengths is his ability to pull out all of the stops when fresh