SPENNYMOOR-BASED Fred's In The Know (3.10) looks likely to be on the premises for today's feature event at Leicester, the £12,000 Golden Miller Handicap Hurdle.

If Fred's In The Know does get his head in front it would represent a real family affair since the 11-year-old gelding is trained by Tracy Waggott, and owned by her father, Norman.

The selection was sent off a 100-1 rag on his latest Newcastle outing, but he made a mockery of those odds by finishing a highly creditable runner-up.

Fred's In The Know won't be allowed by bookmakers to start at such a generous price in today's two-and-a-half-mile test, in which underrated rider Tony Coyle is able to utilise his 3lb claim.

The same combination of trainer and jockey also team up in the earlier Novices Claiming Hurdle with Tinian (2.10).

Tinian picked up plenty of place money when with Karl Burke on the Flat, but he's not shown the same sort of sparkle for his new connections as a National Hunt campaigner.

Perhaps the reasons for failure revolve around the fact he's been quite highly tried to date, therefore the son of Mtoto should at least benefit greatly from today's significant drop in class into what is tantamount to selling grade.

Another raider from our region, Woodford Consultant (2.40), warrants plenty of respect for the two- mile £6,000 Helen of Troy Lady Riders' Handicap Hurdle.

Mick Easterby's mare, a daughter of Derby hero Benny The Dip, landed a good old-fashioned gamble when backed from 11's to 11-2 on a successful visit to Newcastle in January.

Reassuringly the cash was in the bank from a long way out on that occasion, Woodford Consultant cruising to the leader's hindquarters in effortless fashion approaching the final flight, after which she forged clear on the dash to the winning line.

Richard Hannon's confirmed trailblazer, Orchard Supreme (4.30), is ideally situated from stall one to record a pillar-to-post victory in the lucky last at Lingfield.

Orchard Supreme has been a model of consistency throughout his winter travels to the all-weather circuit, paying his way quite handsomely by virtue of nabbing either first or second spot every time he goes to the table.

His most recent course and distance win was all the more meritorious as he prevailed over three-quarters-of-a-mile, a trip on the short side considering the three-year-old colt bolted up in soft ground over a furlong further when plundering a Catterick maiden in October 2005.

* Robert Alner insists all roads will now lead to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for Betfair Chase winner Kingscliff.

The nine-year-old has been the subject of much rumour and intrigue in recent weeks after he drifted notably on the ante-post Gold Cup exchanges.

After being pulled up in the King George VI Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day, Alner's charge had to be hard ridden to take second behind 33-1 winner Ebony Light in the Peter Marsh Chase.

''He's very well - I can guarantee that despite other reports,'' said Alner. ''We are giving him a bit of a break after Haydock and will prepare him exclusively for Cheltenham from here on in.''

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