HAVING overcome a career-threatening heart problem, Historg's (2.10) rehabilitation can take a further turn for the good by scooping the big race of the day at Cheltenham, the £25,000 Racecourse of The Year Handicap Chase.

Just over a year ago things didn't look too rosy for Historg when pulled up at Wetherby, reportedly finishing in a distressed state of health. The veterinary surgeon on duty subsequently discovered the horse had a fibrillating heart, which ultimately could have meant curtains for Historg.

Fortunately it proved to be a one-off blip and Ferdy Murphy's gelding proved none the worse for the experience by later winning at Haydock in February. After a well-earned summer at grass, Historg has taken his time to find his feet this term, however he showed when chasing home The Grey Dyer at Ayr last time out that his turn was near.

"He's not over big but jumps fantastically, plus the softer the ground the better for him," said Ferdy, who would have delighted at the torrential downpour suffered by the south of England yesterday, bang on cue for Historg's trip down the motorway to the Gloucestershire course.

In the opening Federation Bloodstock Novices' Chase, Orswell Crest (1.00) bids to recoup losses having failed to deliver for favourite backers at Sandown earlier on this month.

Supported as if defeat was out of the question after hacking up at Aintree the time before, it might be worth excusing Orswell Crest's subsequent lack-lustre effort on the grounds that he hit the front too soon.

I anticipate Richard Johnson will employ more patient tactics on the Philip Hobbs-trained eight-year-old, who is a half-brother to the very useful staying chaser from the same outfit, The Gower Slave.

There could easily be more joy for Hobbs and Johnston in the later Novices' Handicap Hurdle via Cho Polu (3.50).

Cho Pulu beat off all bar Ian Balding's Dumaran in a 22-runner hurdle Warwick recently. The highly-rated youngster had plenty of useful customers in rear that day and also performed as if he would be far better suited by Cheltenham's much stiffer nature.

Wolverhampton have rustled up a tidy prize for the £12,000 six furlong Bet Direct Handicap in which Sundried Tomato (2.15) is fancied to come up trumps.

Sundried Tomato has been a revelation both on the turf and the sand over the past three months, progressing from a run-of-the-mill sprinter to something quite special. In fact he's been a right old thorn in the side of the Official Handicapper, whose efforts to bring his winning run end to a climax by shoving him up a few more pounds every time he turns out have singularly failed.

Waterlogging threatens the fixture at Catterick, where if racing does get the green light following a 7.30am inspection, Rayware Boy (1.55) could be the answer to the tricky 20-runner Fingall Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Rayware Boy is never happier than when knee deep in mud, conditions that are guaranteed to prevail.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.