VICTORY for Camden Bella (2.25) in Newcastle's opener would round off an exciting week for trainer Nicky Richards, who sent out Turpin Green to finish third in yesterday's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old mare isn't in Turpin Green's league, however her heart is in the right place judged by an extraordinary performance at Carlisle, when pulling off the sort of great escape Houdini made famous.

Going backwards two from the finish, Camden Bella suddenly began to rally and despite having six lengths to make up from the final flight, she still managed to nail Kealshore Lad on the wire.

It was a truly amazing last-gasp win, ably abetted by young Ewan Williams, who once again takes the ride in the Guinness Hurdle, a race in which his 7lbs conditional jockey's allowance is a priceless asset.

The same sponsors support the later Handicap Chase, a two-miler well within the grasp of Yvanovitch (3.30) if in similar mood to the one that carried him into third place at Sandown last Saturday.

It's been a bleak winter for Yvanovitch's trainer, Richard Guest, both on and off the track, but it's not the first time he's had to punch his way off the ropes in a situation when counter-attack is often the best form of defence.

Market Rasen scorer, Assumetheposition, ended a long losing sequence for Guest recently, and now his horses are back in the groove, Yvanovitch has the ability to maintain the stable's welcome revival.

As well as paying a visit to cover the first at the Tyneside track, Channel 4's cameras dip into Wetherby for their principal event, the Betfair Handicap Chase.

All winning streaks have to end somewhere and I fear the latest 14lbs hike will sink Loulou Nivernais without trace, although whatever happens he can hold his head high after rattling off a superb four-timer.

If, as predicted, top-weight fettles Loulou Nivernais, one individual likely to take advantage is Moustique de L'Isle (3.35), who ran well when fourth in the Eider at Newcastle in February.

Chris Bealby's raider is only a little slip of a thing, however the diminutive grey has dropped down to an attractive mark and with the excellent Tom Messenger doing the steering, I fancy the pair to give a good account of themselves.

The John Carbet Celebration Handicap Hurdle provides Sharp Reply (4.10) with the perfect opportunity to preserve his 100 per cent unbeaten record over the sticks.

Sue Bradburne's five-year-old was particularly impressive at Musselburgh, beating up a useful yardstick in the shape of Bedouin Blue, who wouldn't have got so close to Sharp Reply had not the latter clouted the final flight.

It really was a monumental blunder and a less robust type might have buckled, but not the sturdily-built gelding, who galloped on without so much as turning a hair.

Lingfield's Lisa Wilson Fillies' Handicap features Lisathedaddy (4.55), who made her rivals look like snails when romping to a track-and-trip triumph last month.

Despite Brendan Powell's filly going up 7lbs as a result of that romp, I can't see the extra lead anchoring the five-year-old, in fact there could be plenty mores races to be won with her during the spring and summer.

Ian Semple doesn't bring many of his team down from Scotland to line up at the Surrey venue, therefore it's pretty safe to assume Kames Park (2.55) is nicely primed for the totescoop6 Handicap.

Kames Park has an alarming tendency to carry his head high, which although not ideal, when push comes to shove he does generally speaking consent to get stuck in as the jockeys go for broke in the closing stages.

Yesterday's Gold Cup hero, Kauto Star (5-4), and Wichita Lineman (11-8), both tipped by Janus (Colin Woods), meant our resident tipster was nicely in profit to a £1 level stake wagered on all 24 of his selections at the Cheltenham Festival.