The presence of Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson at Sedgefield this evening should ensure there will be a much bigger crowd than normal for a low-key jumps meeting at this time of year.

But it could be top Northern jockey Tony Dobbin who steals the limelight and he has prospects of a double with Zacopani in the Foster's Handicap Hurdle and Fatehalkhair in the Washington Novices Chase.

Zacopani reverts to hurdles after taking a spill over fences when well clear at Cartmel last time and he had previously shown himself to be in good form when making all over the larger obstacles at Hexham.

He is potentially well treated on a 21lb lower mark over hurdles than over fences and a similar attacking policy could pay dividends here. The selection is preferred to McCoy's mount Kinda Groovy.

Dobbin can double up an hour and a half later when he teams up with the very versatile and recent Flat winner Fatehalkhair, who is making his debut over fences.

My selection, the best hurdler among these, has been a sound jumper and is sure to have been well schooled by Brian Ellison. He is once again taken to get the better of McCoy, who rides Tim Easterby's Panama House.

The bet of the meeting looks to be Meldrum Park, who ran her best race when stepped back up to a longer trip at Market Rasen last time, in the Stan James Telebetting Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

That form looks solid with the progressive winner, Winter Gale, and fourth-placed King Of The Burren fighting out the finish of a Wolverhampton handicap this week.

This race look much less competitive and there are several in this field who look far from reliable betting propositions. Best of the remainder could be SueSmith's Mapleton.

The Negotiator looks an interesting runner in the Reuben Page New Shop at Spennymoor Handicap Hurdle after a pleasing reappearance run following a long absence last time.

Maurice Barnes' six-year-old, who won over two and a half miles at Bangor last year, will appreciate the step up to this similar trip here and he is on a decent mark at present.

At Hamilton, Mark Johnston's Spirit Of Khambani takes the eye in the Dukes Rooms Handicap over a mile and three furlongs. The three-year-old is gradually finding his form and he looked ready for the step up to this trip if his Beverley run over a mile is anything to go by.

On that occasion she was doing all of his best work at the finish and although tackling older horses here, this race looks far from inspiring. She's open to improvement and is preferred to the unpredictable Katie Kornaite.

Mind The Silver should be a decent price and is a sporting nap in the PCL Security Handicap at Epsom's evening fixture.

Vic Soane's three-year-old, who has hinted at ability to date, reportedly lost a front shoe when disappointing at Chepstow last time, and is well worth another chance, especially with Seb Sanders in the saddle and in a first-time visor.

l Chris Fairhurst's 16-1 chance Rude Awakening won the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Handicap at Catterick yesterday.