TONY DOBBIN could have the bookies running for cover at Sedgefield this afternoon where he has a handy-looking book of rides.

Dobbin's day begins with an excellent opportunity in the opener aboard The Names Bond (2.20) in the Stanley Racing Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Andy Turnell's three-year-old made an encouraging debut over the sticks when second at Bangor early on in August.

He then returned to that track and ran inexplicably badly in a similar standard contest at the cramped odds of 13/8 favourite.

It's not in my nature to make excuses for horses, but he was hampered prior to jumping the first hurdle, which perhaps put him off for the remainder of the race.

In any case one poor effort is generally worth forgiving and The Names Bond certainly wouldn't have to be a world-beater to get Dobbin's supporters off to a flying start.

Tony's next mount, Rebel's Gift (2.50), in the Selling Handicap Hurdle, hasn't always been the most consistent of animals in the past.

However, there was more than a glimmer of hope that he was coming back to form when third to Arthurs Kingdom at Cartmel, a reproduction of which should put him in with a major shout in a weak looking affair.

For fans of Dobbin I believe his best remaining ride is on the newcomer, Jumbo's Flyer, in the Oakley For Mitsubishi Novices' Hurdle.

Although Jumbo's Flyer (3.50) never actually won on the flat when trained by Les Eyre, he still ran plenty of good races to make the frame at distances of around one mile.

Barry Murtagh's gelding has a couple of far more experienced customers to take on, notably track and trip scorer, Toshiba Times, nevertheless provided the selection takes to jumping he could have the class to win.

Yarmouth stage the day's £10,000 Showcase Handicap and despite a strong local challenge, I feel the loot may come back north to David's Chapman's Stillington, near York, stable, courtesy of Sharp Hat (3.00).

Sharp Hat showed his form running a blinder from a poor low draw to finish third at Doncaster last week.

He's a gelding who likes to be held up for a late charge and there's no better man for the job than Kieren Fallon, a master of waiting tactics.

Stacks of runners at Chepstow make winner-finding appear nigh on impossible, not with standing the prospects of Theatre Lady (4.10) in the Fairfield Properties Handicap.

Touched off by the minimum distance of a short-head when partnered by Gary Carter over course and distance 5 days ago, Theatre Lady will now have the able assistance of up-and-coming apprentice jockey Fran Ferris.

Ferris, the talented Irish teenager who steered Madam Jones to a record-breaking tenth handicap win at Nottingham last week, takes an invaluable 7lbs off the David Evans-trained filly's back.