CHANNEL 4's cameras venture to the North-East to cover the last couple of races at Wetherby and armchair viewers will not disappointed with the sport on offer, writes COLIN WOODS (Janus).

The closing three-mile-one-furlong Handicap Chase is a particularly fascinating encounter in which Kerry Lads bids to defy top-weight under the expert guidance of the vastly underrated rider, Peter Buchanan.

Buchanan has few peers when it comes to steering staying chasers, his superb handling of Kerry Lads (3.25) when the pair scored over track and trip last March furnishing an eloquent testimony to his skills in the saddle.

Lucinda Russell's gallant eleven-year-old made a pleasing enough comeback when fifth at Carlisle in November, a run in which he held every chance until emptying inside the final couple of furlongs when lack of peak condition kicked in.

There'll be no such problems with that outing under his belt, more danger likely to stem from the certain challenge of course specialist Jungle Jinks, who notched a fifth track success by storming to victory ten days ago.

George Moore's gritty gelding really does love the place and it'll be no surprise if he and Kerry Lads are locked in a head-to-head battle once the heat is on over the final four fences.

In the preceding One Man Novices' Chase, Royal Rosa (2.55) bids to get his career back on track after failing to justify heavy market support when only second to According To John at Carlisle.

Howard Johnson's brittle-boned star was returning from an 89-week absence which undoubtedly took its toll come the business end of affairs.

Royal Rosa isn't going to get things all his own way but he was rated a whopping 152 over hurdles, which if transferred literally to the bigger obstacles means he has a ton in hand on his three rivals.