TIM ETHERINGTON'S fortunes have taken a turn for the worse over the past 18 months, but if he could only find the key to Lingfield-bound Aswan (12.45), things could be so different for his small Malton outfit.

Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Aswan has a pleasing pedigree, as one would expect from an off-cast of the great Newmarket trainer's high-class stable. To boot, Aswan also has a shed-load of ability, which he unfortunately often declines to use to maximum effect, hence his relegation to the lower leagues.

When in Stoute's care he did manage to pick up a couple of races and at one stage was rated in the mid-80's. Following a few disappointments that mark has slipped tantalisingly down to 67, which combined with the knowledge that he has finished runner-up on a couple of occasions at the course, presents an opportunity too good to miss.

Now poised to receive lumps of weight off the majority of his opponents in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap, Aswan's worth a small each-way wager in a race where virtually all of his rivals are more or less in the Official Handicapper's grip.

In the closing seven furlong Classified Stakes, Satelcom bids to maintain the impressive recent form of Lambourn's Noel Chance.

Chance, far better known as a dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer, is enjoying a right old purple patch with seven winners from his last 15 runners - a near 50 per cent strike-rate.

Satelcom (4.35), who has been one of the main contributors to Noel's hot streak, chipping in with a brace of track and trip victories, clearly loves the Polytrack and can always be relied upon to put his best foot forward.

Forecast frost threatens to frustrate Ludlow's attempts to stage the day's only National Hunt fixture, however if the expected freeze-up doesn't materialise, Renzo (1.30) makes plenty of appeal in the opening Racecourse Plumber Selling Hurdle.

The ten-year-old, who would have mince meat of the field a couple of years ago, is admittedly on a downward spiral, but not to the extent that he cannot get back on the winning trail in such a weak affair.

The Attwood Memorial Trophy goes to the winner of the two-and-half-mile Showcase Handicap, which I reckon is a toss up between Dealer's Choice (3.15) and Judaic Ways. Preference is marginally for the former on the strength of his previously useful course and distance efforts, plus the presence of the excellent Timmy Murphy in the saddle.

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