CLUES for the future, both for the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, are on every jumps fan's mind at present, but did we see the Champion Hurdler in Rhinestone Cowboy at Wetherby on Saturday?

Jonjo O'Neill's novice star won the Gerard Wealth Management Novices' Hurdle in relatively easy fashion, despite a mistake at the second last. Jockey Norman Williamson scarcely had to move a muscle, but the trainer is thinking more of the Supreme Novice Hurdle, rather than the Champion.

Locals in good form to follow him home were Brian Rothwell's Always Rainbows at 14-1 and permit holder John Wade's Stormy Lord at 66-1. Andy Crook's expensive French purchase Spainkris was a shade disappointing in fifth.

This was the last time the sponsors will back the series and a wide range of guests enjoyed this final day's racing. As usual, there was a draw to find the guest to choose the best turned out and the name pulled from the hat was that of Darlington solicitor Ann Elliot, whose barrister husband Eric is so well known to us as a successful permit holder. She chose Nicky Henderson's Dancing Bay which, despite its good looks, could only manage fourth.

The card opened with an unusually long odds Mary Reveley runner, Busted Flat at 25-1, who had been favourite for the same race three years ago when tipping up. He made no mistake this year to please local backers.

Norman Williamson was a late jockey change for Micky Hammond's Militaire and shrewdies who spotted this and backed the Middleham runner were well rewarded at 8-1. Runner-up Talarive (Peter Niven) and Through The Rye, third (Edwin Tuer) both look sure to win again soon.

Barton was a disappointing third in the handicap chase behind Il'Athou (Simon Sherwood). Elsewhere, Ferdy Murphy's Historg was third in the Uttoxeter National Trial and Mary Reveley's Whistling Dixie filled the same spot in the Sandown Handicap Hurdle.

The weights for the Grand National were published on Tuesday and 67 of the entry of 149 are in the handicap proper, so all 40 runners should be on their correct marks when race day comes. Yorkshire owner Robert Ogden's Marlborough and Florida Pearl are joint top weight on 11st 12lb, while the minimum weight is 10.0. Ogden's Ad Hoc is ante-post favourite on most books.

Of our area's entries, Norman Mason's assistant, Richard Guest, said he was delighted with the weights - Red Marauder 10.6, Red Striker 10.6, Red Ark 9.12, Mr Bossman 8.4.

The two brothers, previous winner Red Marauder and Red Striker, would want soft ground, while Red Ark would need good ground. Striker goes for the Racing Post Chase first and Marauder for a Newcastle run.

Ferdy Murphy feels that Ballinclay King (10.10) has the better chance. Paris Pike (10.2) goes for the Eider at Newcastle first to see if he is "back on song" - if not, he will be retired.

Peter Beaumont bypasses the Irish Hennessey for Hussard Collonges, allotted 11.7 in the National.

He said that the Gold Cup was the target, "and we'll see about the National after that." Bobby Grant (10.6) was fourth on Saturday in the National Trial at Uttoxeter, but Beaumont said it was desperate ground and Russ Garritty did not give his mount a hard time. Niki Dee deserved another go at the big race, but might not get in, he added.

ON THE LEVEL

Two riders have caught the eye in recent weeks on the all-weather - Robert Winston, who as a freelance has really taken off, and young Dominic Fox, the canny apprentice. This week, though, the man of the moment is Dean McKeown, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on Wednesday with a treble the day before.

Kevin Ryan got off the mark for this year at the Dunstall Park course on Monday, Platinum Boy winning well under Paul Fessey. Ryan followed up Tuesday at Southwell when Winston partnered Francport, and Fox won for Brian Ellison on Crunchy.

Carol Williams won for Patrick Haslam in the amateur event, riding Positive Profile. The long term aim for the winner is the Cesarewitch.

But no one rode better that day than McKeown, with his pre-birthday treble. Two were for David Barron - Massey and the useful Penwell Hill - and the third for Richard Whitaker, an impressive five lengths winner, Alchemist Master. This runs again next week and may go to Dubai.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Lingfield AW: Only One Legend (trained by T Easterby, at Great Habton; owned by The Four Ball Partnership), ridden by R Winston.

Fri. - No DST area winners.

Sat. - Wetherby: Busted Flat (M Reveley, Lingdale; Hb, R Burridge), P Aspell (claiming 5lbs allowance); Militaire (M Hammond, Middleham; D J Jackson), N Williamson.

Southwell AW: Dispol Peto (D Barron, Maunby; W B Imison), D McKeown; Maunby Rocker (P Haslam, Middleham; P A Hill-Walker & Mrs C Barclay), D Fox (7).

Wolverhampton AW ev: Favorisio (J Camacho, Norton; Hb, Elite Racing Club), T Culhane; Smart Hostess (J Quinn, Settrington; Hb, B Shaw), R Winston; Coolbythepool (M Johnston, Middleham; J S Morrison), R ffrench.

Mon. - Wolverhampton AW: Platinum Boy (K Ryan, Hambleton; Platinum Racing Club Ltd), P Fessey.

Tue. - Southwell AW: Massey (D Barron; J E Boynton), D McKeown; Positive Profile (P Haslam; Chelgate Public Relations Ltd), Mrs C Williams; Penwell Hill (D Barron; Mrs L Jones), D McKeown; Franport (K Ryan; Mr & Mrs J & R Richer), R Winston; Crunchy (B Ellison, Norton; The Half Moon Club), D Fox (7); Alchemist Master (R Whitaker, Scarcroft; trainer), D McKeown.

Wed. - No DST area winners.