HOPES of northern success at Newbury this afternoon rest squarely on the shoulders of Europa (1.15).

Thomas Tate's Tadcaster-trained star made a pleasing transition from hurdles to fences by scoring on his debut over the bigger obstacles at Hexham this month.

There's little doubt Europa will have to step up a gear now that he's having to take on the likes of Armaturk, from the Paul Nicholls' stable, although if the expected improvement materialises the Children In Need Novices' Chase is just about within his compass.

The following Cantor-sponsored £28,000 Challow Novices' Hurdle brings together Classified and See You Sometime, who have collectively won their last seven starts.

The former, trained by Seamus Mullins, likes to do things the hard way from the front. But it's a style that suits him well, ably demonstrated by a gritty track and trip victory ten days ago.

The Stan James Mandarin Chase sees the reappearance of Windross (2.15), who has slipped significantly down the ratings after a disappointing campaign last season.

Alan King has always held a high opinion of Windross, talked of in days gone by as a Cheltenham Festival contender, not to mention the fact that he was heavily-backed for the Millennium running of the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Whatever has been ailing Windross, he's been given a long rest to help alleviate his problem and could well bounce back in the hands of Robert Thornton, deputising for the injured Richard Johnson.

Backers of Finbar's Revenge (2.45) must been counting their money as he cruised into the lead approaching the final fence at Ludlow this month - I know I certainly was!

Sadly it was not to be for Simon Sherwood's useful six-year-old as he knuckled on landing, handing the race on a plate to Optimistic Chris.

If there is any justice in this world, Finbar's Revenge will gain compensation by scooping the Gerrard Novices' Chase, worth around £5,000 to the winner.

Truckers Tavern (1.25) puts his unbeaten record on the line at Carlisle in the Betfair Novices' Chase.

Ferdy Murphy's youngster has been tipped as championship class in many quarters and he should collect at a canter.

The following Tote Bookmakers Handicap Chase is a far more competitive affair, with several fancied contenders in the eight-runner line-up.

Few trainers have their long-distance chasers in better fettle than Tom George, pointing directly to the prospects of Who Dares Wins (1.55).

The selection has already posted one course and distance success when in the care of Jonjo O'Neill, and it's worth noting Who Dares Wins was backed from 20-1 to half of those odds prior to falling at the 17th in a similar event at Haydock recently.

One Stop is bound to be a popular choice in the extended two-mile Handicap Hurdle at 2.55, having given hot-favourite Needwood Spirit a fright at Hexham recently.

The Maurice Barnes-trained mare looked as she was going to see off Needwood Spirit on that occasion, only to be collared within the shadow of the post.

Southwell stages a rare £20,000 contest and Tim Easterby has not missed the opportunity to stake a claim with Monarch's Pursuit (2.10) who showed his well-being with a cosy success at Uttoxeter, and his hold-up style is absolutely tailor-made for the valuable Midlands race.

In the later St Tropez Selling Hurdle Welsh Lad (3.10) looks the proverbial "steering job" if coming back to anything like the form he has shown over the past couple of years.

The wheels have clearly come off Welsh Lad lately, hence David Gandolfo's decision to drop his charge markedly in grade. Nevertheless Welsh Lad would only have to be 80 per cent right to beat some mainly modest rivals.

Improving horses formerly with master handler Sir Mark Prescott is a rare feat, however David Evans has pulled it off with Lingfield raider Deceitful (2.30).

Deceitful has come on in leaps-and-bounds both on turf and the polytrack during the past three months, so much so that he has won three of his last four starts.

In the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap, Deceitful has his toughest task to date, but I reckon the bonny three-year-old is well up to brushing aside some older and generally more experienced opponents