It's the calm tomorrow before a storming weekend of racing, with a three-day spectacular at Cheltenham, a Saturday programme at Wetherby and good Sunday fare at Haydock.

To whet the appetite tomorrow is a modest double-header of jumping at Taunton and Ludlow and an all-weather Flat card at Lingfield.

Pepe Galvez makes plenty of appeal at Taunton in the Cotley Maiden Hurdle.

Lavina Taylor's gelding was a fair performer on the Flat when trained by Ben Hanbury and the signs are that he's going to pay his way over timber.

On his debut at Cheltenham last month, the five-year-old finished second to the more experienced Orangerie, beaten only one and a half lengths.

Pepe Galvez will surely have benefitted from that experience and, with Andrew Thornton in the saddle, he is fancied to go one better here.

Flying Fortune catches the eye in the Opening Meets Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old got off the mark at Wincanton three weeks ago when getting the better of High Drama by a length.

The step up to two and three-quarter miles that day seemed to suit Flying Fortune, who could improve further tomorrow over an extended three miles. Jodie Mogford again has the mount.

My Galliano, narrowly beaten at Wincanton last time, is taken to go one better in the Taunton Vale Hunts Novices' Handicap Chase.

Brendan Powell's charge failed by only half-a-length to catch Neutron on his latest outing in a handicap hurdle. Now switching to fences, he can underline his well-being.

Recent winners Field Master (3-00) and Something Dandy (3-30) are also worth noting at Taunton.

At Ludlow, Mister Magpie has good prospects of winning the Arrow Novices' Chase.

The Tom George-trained gelding won a maiden hurdle in good style at Perth in April and looks the type to make an impression over the major obstacles.

Cassia Heights has run two good recent races in defeat.

Steve Brookshaw's charge, a previous winner over this course and distance, can make it third-time-lucky in the three-miles Lugg Handicap Chase and is awarded the nap vote. The under-rated Jason Maguire takes the ride.

Thursday's tips:

TAUNTON

1-00 Flying Fortune, 1-30 Final Lap, 2-00 My Galliano, 2-30 Pepe Galvez, 3-00 Field Master, 3-30 Something Dandy, 4-00 Besuto

LUDLOW

12-45 Cho Polu, 1-20 Mister Magpie, 1-50 Peartree House, 2-20 Cassia Heights (NAP), 2-50 Make Haste Slowly, 3-20 Duke Of Buckingham, 3-50 Caribbean Grove

Updated: 13:31 Wednesday, November 13, 2002