Tony McCoy could be handsomely rewarded when he rides at Wetherby tomorrow.

The National Hunt champion jockey has been booked by trainer Paul Nicholls to partner Galpiat Du Mesnil in the £13,250 Gerrard Handicap Chase and I fancy the eight-year-old will be difficult to beat.

McCoy was on board when Galapiat Du Mesnil justified favouritism at Chepstow a fortnight ago, winning by seven lengths from Bouchasson after asserting his superiority over the final four fences.

Also worth noting is Gottabe, a winner on this course two weeks ago, in the Baker Tilly Intermediate Chase.

Trained by the in-form Sue Smith, Gottabe had eight lengths to spare over Guilsborough Gorse on his latest outing. He will be a hard to beat, with Warren Marston again taking the mount.

At Goodwood, Dolores will doubtless start at short odds to open her winning account in the Conqueror Stakes.

Amanda Perratt's talented filly, runner-up on her only start last season, ran a blinder on her reappearance. After being thrown-in the deep end, she finished fourth in the 1,000 Guineas. Dolores, in the hands of Richard Quinn, should capitalise on this drop in class.

Island House has strong claims in the Festival Stakes, which he won two years ago. Geoff Wragg's hardy performer has finished second on both his outings this season.

The most recent was at Chester, where he chased home Freefourinternet after being disadvantaged by being held-up in a slowly-run race.

The Bonusprint Rated Handicap looks a good opportunity for Harlestone Grey, trained in Sussex by John Dunlop, who likes nothing better than a winner on his local course.

Harlestone Grey caught the eye on his reappearance at Newmarket when, running over a trip short of his best, he was beaten less than five lengths when filling tenth place in the 23-runner handicap won by Solo Flight.

Over an extra couple of furlongs tomorrow, Harlestone Grey should be in his element under Pat Eddery and is awarded my Nap vote.

At Newcastle's programme tomorrow, I think that Fatehalkhair will clinch the S V Rutter Handicap.

Brian Ellison's admirable gelding finished a good third to Sarangani at York last week and now steps up to two miles. He should go well, partnered by in-form apprentice Paul Hanagan.

Kevin Darley could be the jockey to follow at Gosforth Park. He teams-up with the highly-regarded debutante Rahaf (2.10), the dropped-in-class Hilltime (2.40), previous course winner Ela d'Argent (3.15) and the promising Alrida (4.55).

Tomorrow's tips:

Wetherby

2.20 Moral Justice, 2.50 Miracle Island, 3.25 Galapiat Du Mesnil, 4.00 Keiran, 4.35 Gottabe, 5.05 Haydens Field.

Goodwood

2.00 Dolores, 2.30 Island House, 3.05 Harlestone Grey (Nap), 3.40 Secret Garden, 4.15 More Sirens, 4.45 Pigeon Point, 5.20 Jawhari.

Newcastle

2.10 Rahaf, 2.40 Hilltime, 3.15 Ela d'Argent, 3.50 Fatehalkhair, 4.25 Eastern Promise, 4.55 Alrida.

Updated: 13:43 Wednesday, May 22, 2002