WETHERBY'S winter season of National Hunt action gets underway this afternoon with a superb six-race card.

The stiff, but fair fences take some jumping, although they hold no fears for Mick Easterby's Rigadoon (2.55), who heads for the Tetley's Bitter Novices' Handicap Chase.

Rigadoon has already put in a couple of clear rounds at the course without actually converting his slick jumping into outright victory. However that situation might all be about to change since Easterby's stable has struck form with a vengeance over the past couple of weeks.

Nor will the selection want for assistance from the saddle because his talented rider, Richard McGrath, really is top of the pops when it comes to putting his horses on the right stride when approaching their obstacles at speed.

In the following Eurotel Handicap Hurdle, Welsh Main (3.30) would definitely not be winning out of turn.

Two starts ago he appeared to be cruising to certain success at Perth, only to tip up courtesy of an uncharacteristic blunder at the final flight. Simon Magnier's five-year-old then took a trip to Kelso carrying the nap vote for this column.

Once again it seemed a matter of "how far" as Welsh Main led on the run-in seemingly with a ton in hand. Unfortunately he was lumping top-weight that day and on the uphill climb to the line the extra lead took its' toll and he was collared in the final 50 yards by Cosmic Case.

Magnier, based nowadays at Malton, has this time picked a race in which his charge doesn't have such a welter-burden to shoulder and he's fancied to take full advantage in the valuable £11,500 contest.

The £16,000 on offer for the Bobby Renton Chase has attracted some very useful steeplechasers including Mark Pitman's Sterling Stewart, Howard Johnson's Ballybough Rasher, plus Mary Reveley's course specialist Random Harvest (4.05).

Mary has done a fantastic job keeping the now veteran thirteen-year-old Random Harvest "sweet" over the years. For some reason he always reserves his best for the west Yorkshire track, and with the stable going great guns he could well defy his 198-day absence.

When the Midlands' based handler Frank Jordan makes a sortie north it's normally worth paying attention, therefore his decision to take a pot at the closing Askham Richard Novices' Hurdle with Premiere Foulee (5.15) warrants the utmost respect.

And judged on his most recent effort when runner-up at Fontwell, Premiere Foulee might just be about to shed his market tag over timber.

Very much run-of-the-mill stuff on the level with two typically chaotic late season flat fixtures at Bath and Lingfield, none the less Full House (5.05) has been handed a golden chance to follow-up his recent win at the last-named venue.