UNDERRATED Upswing (12.40) possesses the potential to spring a major surprise in the Nidd Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby.

Upswing has only run once this season, defying his somewhat portly appearance to occupy a perfectly respectable fourth spot over course and distance in November. I was on hand to witness that performance and to my way of thinking jockey Kenny Johnson was not hard on his mount.

The combination plotted a wide course up the home straight, forfeiting a few valuable lengths in the process. In Kenny's defence, maybe the Newcastle-based jockey was seeking to get away from the far rail, where the ground tends to be far more churned up.

Whatever the tactical merits for steering a slightly unconventional path, Upswing is almost certain to strip a far fitter individual as a direct result of that outing, and in a race little better than a seller he represents good value at likely odds of 12-1 or more.

Mick Easterby has been quick off the mark to secure the services of Tony McCoy for The Nomad (1.15), fancied to defy top-weight in the Wharfe Novices' Handicap Chase.

McCoy has a good record when teaming up with Mick's horses in the north and The Nomad, four times victorious over the smaller obstacles last season, has all the makings of shaping up into a more-than-useful chaser.

According to most sets of speed figures, Tony is also set fair for an armchair ride aboard Druids Confederacy (2.25) in the Rye Mares' Only Novices Hurdle.

The Charles Egerton-trained six-year-old pulled a country mile clear of her rivals when making a winning debut over hurdles at Towcester in December.

Although Druids Confederacy has picked up a 7lb penalty for that runaway success, it shouldn't really bother the fast-improving Lambourn raider.

The Grey Dyer (3.00), arguably the unluckiest loser of the season to date, bids for compensation in the following Ouse Handicap Chase.

Len Lungo's gelding was two lengths ahead of his opponents and seemingly in command at Haydock on November 29, only for his young and relatively inexperienced rider, Gary Berridge, to take the wrong course when approaching the final fence.

It was a blunder of epic proportions and just to rub salt in the wound the Handicapper saw fit to raise The Grey Dyer's rating by 4lb. I'd called that pretty harsh and hope for the sake of the connections that the selection can withstand the hike in the weights with the ever-reliable Tony Dobbin replacing the hapless Berridge.

Michael Dods sends Smith N Allan Oils down to Lingfield in the hope of making it three wins from his last four visits.

Unfortunately there's a the fly in the ointment, namely Superchief (12.30), who re-opposes Smith N Allan Oils on 6lb more favourable terms after only a half-length separated the pair over track and trip just seven days ago.

Superchief has been a grand old scout for trainer Brooke Sanders over the past few years and even though he's now getting a bit long in the tooth might still have sufficient life left in his legs to gain revenge.

l Paul Blockley, who trains on the course, has made a fine start to the year and he completed his second double in consecutive days at Southwell yesterday, writes RAY GILPIN.

Hurricane Coast and Lucayan Monarch were both well ridden by Dean McKeown.

Hurricane Coast, who had completed Sunday's brace, was coaxed to victory again in the Bet Direct Press Red To Bet Claiming Stakes and has proved a bargain.

Blockley said: ''That is his third win for us, so he is not bad for the money he cost - 2,500gns (out of the Tim Easterby stable at Doncaster in October).''

However, the gelding left for pastures new, having been claimed for £6,000 by Lingfield-based trainer David Flood.

Royston Ffrench was cautioned after being found guilty of careless riding on High Esteem.

Lucayan Monarch came out best in the littlewoodscasino.com Selling Stakes and this time fortune favoured Blockley as there was no bid for his charge at the auction.

He said: ''He is our pet. Things are going well - that is seven winners since Christmas, and I hope we can keep it going. We have 50 horses, 40 of them for the Flat, including some nice two-year-olds.

''But they always do seem nice at this time of year and you always have one that is going to win the Brocklesby at Doncaster in March, don't you?''

David Barron, fresh from his best season in 2003, gained his second success this term when Penwell Hill, ridden by Dean Mernagh, ran out a fortunate winner of the betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

Flambe looked to have the race won when he broke down badly in the closing stages and was subsequently put down.

Barron said: ''It looked as though we were only going to be second-best. If we have him right he could run on the grass, but he might not be right in the summer.