Magic Box looks to have a good chance in landing the Sportlands Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong for the second year in succession at Sedgefield this afternoon.

Kate Milligan's gelding turned in his best effort to date in this race last year when beating Rayware Boy by five lengths on that occasion.

And, although he disappointed on all of his subsequent starts last year, he showed he retains plenty of ability when a creditable second to Copplestone, who won on his next start, after a break at Newcastle in April.

With a couple in this field that have made the running in the past, he's likely to get the race run to suit and is taken to beat the consistent Gone Too Far, who has been running well under both codes of late.

Miss Milligan can also be on the mark with the progressive Billie John, who is making his handicap debut over fences in the Ingrid Flute Holiday Accommodation Agency Handicap Chase over two miles.

Following a bloodless win on his chasing debut in April, the eight-year-old was in the process of running his best race to date over fences when falling at the last at Perth on his most recent start.

He would have gone very close on that occasion and is taken to make amends in this modest race at the main expense of Broadgate Flyer, who has been in fair form for Lucinda Russell, but who may find this trip on the sharp side.

Stuart Wood's Ramblees Holly will appreciate the return to two miles and five furlongs and gets the vote in the Alderclad Roofing Handicap Hurdle.

This course and distance winner has been running well of late over two miles but is vulnerable to pacier types over that trip and this well handicapped sort will be much more at home in this company.

Club Royal will also appreciate the step up in trip and is the selection in the H Tones & Sons Novices' Chase over the marathon three miles and three-furlong trip.

Ginger McCain's six-year-old, a winner over hurdles at this course (two miles and five on soft ground) also has room for improvement in his fencing, but has shown enough in two starts over the larger obstacles to suggest he has good claims in this company.

Pebble Bay is preferred to Onefourseven in the Bliss Novices Hurdle and Hiryana is taken to build on his recent Perth success by taking the closing bumper over two miles and one furlong.

At Ayr Flur Na H Alba is an interesting runner in the Stinchar Falls Classified Stakes over his optimum trip of seven furlongs.

Ian Semple's team have been in tremendous form and his four-year-old turned in an improved effort when successful in a competitive handicap over this course and distance last time.

That form has worked out well and he's taken to get the better of Cardinal Venture, who looks better than the bare form of his last run would suggest.

Mr Fortywinks is back on a fair mark and is preferred to likely favourite Analogy in the Brodick Bay Handicap over a mile and seven furlongs.

Brian Ellison's tough sort shaped as though coming to hand at Doncaster last time, won't mind any easing of the ground and is certainly capable of giving a good account from his current mark.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.