SUPER SUB Roddy Greene gets his big chance to shine aboard Exit Swinger (2.35) in the £100,000 Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot this afternoon.

As second jockey to Tony McCoy at Martin Pipe's all-conquering west-country stable, Greene normally has to settle for McCoy's table scraps.

But even the mighty McCoy can't ride both of the Pipe entries, Westender and Exit Swinger, in the Berkshire showpiece, leaving Roddy in pole position to take advantage of any chinks in Westender's armoury.

It's not hard to understand McCoy's decision to stick with Westender, upon whom he's rattled off an impressive five-timer, including a memorable victory at Cheltenham, where he made a miraculous recovery after his horse made the mother of all mistakes at the final flight.

The really bad news for McCoy is that Westender's front-running style means he'll be dreading that sinking feeling if the ultimate hold-up horse, Exit Swinger, looms large in his wing mirrors once the winning post is in sight.

Exit Swinger's credentials are there for all to be seen, in fact one of his best efforts came at the track last term, when third over fences to Function Dream off today's mark of 134.

Add to this Exit Swinger's scintillating nine-length hammering of Ivanoph in a chase at Newbury three weeks ago, and it makes Pipe's so-called second string a snip on his return to hurdles, definitely stupendous value at around 12-1 compared to Westender's crummy odds of 7-2.

In the preceding Tote Silver Cup it might be worth risking Jonjo O'Neill's latest top-class recruit, Siberian Gale (2.00), despite a two-year absence.

Described by none other than the Timeform gurus as a big, strong, workmanlike gelding, Siberian Gale won six of ten starts in Ireland when trained by Patrick Mullins prior to being sidelined through injury in late 1999.

Jonjo is an experienced enough campaigner not to be throwing his new signing in at the deep end unless he was totally confident about Siberian Gale's ability to hold his own in such a competitive heat.

Newcastle cannot hope to compete with Ascot in terms of quality, but that's not to say it'll be anything other than an enthralling afternoon of National Hunt action on Tyneside.

There's no better feeling than siding with a wallet-fattening winner of the first race so I'm very much hoping One Stop (12.10) doesn't let the side down.

The Maurice Barnes-trained mare not only likes the course, she also recorded a career-best effort by chasing home Needwood Spirit at Hexham recently.

It would come as no surprise to see Ferdy Murphy walk away with a double via Truckers Tavern (12.40) and What A Wonder (2.50).

Truckers Tavern, rated potential Gold Cup material by Ferdy, has a simple task, whereas What A Wonder may have to pull out all of the stops to claim the Saltwell Signs Novices' Chase.

Patrick Haslam's yard is in the middle of a scintillating purple patch, suggesting Pipe Music (1.20) may well make short work of some poor opponents in the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter.

Pipe Music has looked to be a rather one-paced individual on the level at Wolverhampton lately, consequently the switch back to hurdles, where sheer speed is not as important, makes perfect sense.

In the cavalry charge for the opening Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle at Warwick there are bound to be one or two casualties.

Keeping out of trouble is therefore an absolute must in such events and if Box Car (12.05) can steer clear of the pack, he's bound to go close on the evidence of a sterling run when fourth behind Into Battle at Doncaster the Friday before last.

Leave the closing two-mile-three-furlong Handicap Hurdle to Bold Investor (3.20), a four-year-old with a decent engine judged on a string of consistent efforts during his juvenile hurdling days.

Not too many nine-year-olds score on the all-weather track at Lingfield, so Welton Arsenal's battling victory at the course in November raised a few eyebrows.

For those in the know the canny veteran has always possessed the invaluable trait of having a high cruising speed, albeit when taking on mainly low-grade rivals.

The well-deserved success was a testimony to his brilliant if somewhat underrated trainer Kevin Bishop, who goes back to well with Welton Arsenal (3.35) in the one-mile Betdirect Handicap.