Resolute Stone Cold

Given the stern nature of the track, it's not surprising that from a results' point of view the venue suits those individuals with plenty of bottle, a remark which applies to the diminutive Stone Cold (3.15), bidding to win the two-and-a-half-mile Brandsby Handicap Chase.

What he lacks in size, Stone Cold more than makes up in the guts department, showing admiral resolution at Musselburgh last time out where he looked all over the winner turning into the home straight, until his comparatively big weight took its toll in the closing stages.

If that was the case, at least his trainer Tim Easterby is putting the theory to the test by running him in a race where he is set to receive weight from all of his rivals.

And seeing as Easterby is a pretty shrewd cookie, his decision makes perfect sense because Stone Cold is not much taller than a pit pony and in consequence probably doesn't relish having to carry great lumps of lead in his saddlecloth.

Tim might also be on the mark in the later two mile Helmsley Handicap Hurdle with Minivet (5.00).

Minivet was no mug when trained on the flat by Michael Bell at Newmarket, but it was only when claimed and sent to the Easterby camp that he really came into his own, winning no less than five times over hurdles three seasons ago.

He then seemed to hit the buffers for a couple of years, prior to bouncing back to form in a seller at Catterick just under three weeks ago. If Minivet can continue to progress on the comeback trail in this slightly stronger event, he will surely have the legs of his opponents off his current extremely favourable handicap mark.

For betting purposes the potential of linking the pair together in an each-way double should not be overlooked as Easterby has an excellent overall record at the course, plus he showed the well-being of his stable's inmates via Witch's Brew, who romped in at Catterick yesterday.

The longest race of the day takes place at Chepstow where the opening skybet.com Handicap Chase is due to be contested over an extended three-miles-and-two-furlongs in reportedly very soft ground. The slog will no doubt mean a slow early pace in order to conserve energy, however, when the gloves do come off expect to see Over Zealous (12.45) in the thick of the action.

John Upson's 11-year-old is a sound jumper and despite not doing much in a hurry these days, he stays forever and should still be plodding on when others have raised the white flag in humble surrender. There's little to get excited about at Lingfield, where in any case professional punters have taken a bit of battering lately courtesy of some unpredictable long priced winners.

Best to leave well alone, although Jeremy Glover's Chico Guapo (1.45) has shown sufficient ability to finally get off the mark in the Bet Direct Maiden Stakes over five furlongs.

l Malcolm Jefferson heaved a sigh of relief as he watched The Manse Brae show the way home under conditional jockey Vinnie Keane in the Malton Novices Chase at Catterick yesterday, writes RAY GILPIN.

There was little between The Manse Brae and King's Bounty approaching the final fence in the extended three miles test, but the former touched down just in front and he gradually edged away to score by two lengths.

The Manse Brae carries the colours of David Stevenson's Ashleybank Investments Limited, and Jefferson explained: "My horses have been running a bit in and out - our runners at Newcastle yesterday ran below their form yesterday, but we have had them scoped and we found some mucus (on their lungs).

"We could not get them looking better, they are eating up and working well, but they are stopping in their races - we had today's runners scoped this morning too to make sure they well all right."

Tim Easterby, who saddled King's Bounty went one better when Witch's Brew defied top weight under Russ Garritty in the Wensely Mare's Only Novices' Handicap Hurdle, the jockey keeping the six-year old going in good - if rather 'cowboy' style - having lost an iron at the final flight. Easterby trains Witch's Brew for North Yorkshire owner Bridget Trammer, and the former's father Peter said: "The mare did it well, but I don't think the others were very good."

Howard Johnson has his horses in good form and he was on the mark again when Another Dude gamely stayed on for conditional Paddy Aspell to get the better of Altay by one-and-a-half lengths in the Harrogate Novices' Hurdle. The Crook-based trainer said: "I own this one in partnership with my godfather Maurice Hutchinson who farms near the course - I have got to keep him happy haven't I?"

* The Howard Johnson stable says farewell to star chaser Direct Route today as the gelding leaves to spend his retirement at his part-owner Chris Heron's son's home near Wetherby.

Direct Route has been one of the best two-mile chasers around and his 15 victories from 40 starts over jumps include the 1998 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and two wins in the Mumm Melling Chase at Aintree.

In all he amassed nearly £385,000 in prize money and apart from his successes he came desperately close to winning the 2000 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham, going under by the shortest of short heads to Edredon Bleu.

Crook-based Johnson decided it was time to retire the 12-year-old after he had been beaten in a handicap hurdle at Doncaster in mid-December, and he said yesterday: "I will be choked to see him go.

"He has kept me going in recent years and he has done us proud, he has been some horse and he has been so well in himself recently that I think some would have been tempted to run him again."

"But not me, he has done enough and has earned his retirement, he will have a good home and be well looked after.

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