LEADING amateur jump jockey Paudge Whelan is fancied to put one over his professional counterparts by booting Prince Among Men (3.40) to victory at Ludlow today.

Whelan normally rides for his Malton-based boss, Richard Fahey, but on this occasion has been snapped up by shrewd Lake District handler, Martin Todhunter.

Todhunter is never afraid to use claiming jockeys to his advantage and there's no doubt Whelan's 7lbs allowance will make the selection's task a good deal easier in the Tote Exacta Handicap Hurdle.

A little earlier in proceedings, Welsh Lad (2.40) should hopefully make amends for his untimely first-fence exit at Bangor.

Timmy Murphy can hardly put a foot wrong at present, however even if the hugely-talented Irishman had been stapled to the saddle I don't believe even he would have been able to survive the blunder made by Welsh Lad that day.

David Gandolfo's useful gelding is not generally prone to making such costly mistakes, and over hurdles at least he was a cut above this afternoon's opposition for the Hazlin Doors Novices' Chase

Half-term holidaymakers at Brighton haven't had much luck where the unwanted wet weather has turned the ground to a real glue-pot.

Still that shouldn't worry Kathakali (3.50), who ploughed through the mud to score at the track under similar conditions last month.

Young Paul Doe's wise tactic of making a beeline for the favoured stands' rail paid handsome dividends and I expect he'll be setting sail on the same tack in the mile-and-a-quarter Selling Handicap at the seaside course.

Pekay's third placing to Konker at Pontefract received a major boost when the latter obliged at Newcastle yesterday.

Brian Smart's eight-year-old was beaten less than two lengths by Konker and I reckon a straightforward reproduction of that form will be sufficient to claim the 12-furlong Weekend Apprentice Handicap.

Bath's mammoth eight-race card looks more akin to a bonanza for the bookmakers rather than a potential pay-day for punters.

There might be money to be made, however, by siding with Celtic Style (2.30) in the one-mile Maiden Auction Sakes.

He appeared to tire markedly in the closing stages over ten furlongs on his debut at Pontefract where he finished a creditable fifth.

The drop back in trip, plus extra fitness gained from the blow out, all bode well for Celtic Style, who let's face it is not travelling all the way down to the west country just for a day out in the horse-box.

* Trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Timmy Murphy dominated proceedings at Chepstow yesterday with a 335-1 four-timer with wins from Percolator, Ivanoph, Galapiat Du Mesnil and Stennikov.

Percolator had luck on his side in the Now I'm 64 Novices' Chase as leader Gentle Rivage crashed out at the fourth last, leaving the Nicholls seven-year-old well clear of Thatsforeel.

Murphy was at his most enterprising aboard Ivanoph as he thwarted the challenge of Hawadeth by a length and a half for the Cardiff Castle Novices' Hurdle.

Despite shouldering top weight in the three-horse Golden Valley Handicap Chase, Galapiat Du Mesnil finished alone as his closest pursuer Spinofski threw in the towel at the second last fence.