Wetherby opens its doors for the first time this season tomorrow when the popular racecourse course starts its new season by naming a race in dubious honour of Britain's best-known slow horse.

Quixall Crossett has gone 100 races without gaining a single success, but has developed a notoriety all of his own, with a fan club and even his own website.

Now aged 16 and long past the normal retirement age, Quixall Crossett, trained by Ted Caine at Chopgate, in Cleveland, turns out for the Reliant Reva Electic Car Quixall Crossett Maiden Chase over an extended three miles.

"He's fine," Caine said today. "We can't go round the moors because of foot and mouth, so he has had to make do with going round the farm and he has got a bit bored. I hope the race will cheer him up."

Caine believes the fact that Quixall Crossett, due to be ridden by 7lb-claiming amateur Bernie Wharfe, has only the same weight to carry as his rivals will not help him in his quest to win a race.

"But I promised them that if they named a race after him, I would run him and I am honouring that," added Caine.

It is safe to say, though that it will take a virtual miracle or none of the other runners completing the course for Quixall Crossett to win.

A much more likely winner is Maximize, who showed a fair bit of potential last season and promises to be a money-spinner for trainer Henrietta Knight over fences this winter.

The £13,000 Bobby Renton Chase over two-and-a-half miles is the feature race of the day.

Simply Gifted, trained by Tim Easterby, will not be short of local supporters.

The six-year-old has proved himself a high-class performer over hurdles and fences and looks poised to enjoy another money-making campaign.

Although Simply Gifted lacks the advantage of a previous race this season, so do most of his rivals. The Great Habton gelding is expected to make a bold bid on his comeback outing.

Clear Dawn gets my Nap vote in the Tetley's Bitter Novices' Handicap Chase.

Malcolm Jefferson's gelding finished third at Kelso 10 days ago and left the impression, the way he travelled best of all and faded in the closing stages, that he may have needed that outing.

He promises to be a stronger proposition tomorrow and will have the assistance of the in-form Graham Lee.

Jefferson and Lee have prospects of a double with Mrs Jodi in the Plantronics Handicap Hurdle. Mrs Jodi made a promising return to action when fourth to Ingletonian at Kelso and will surely have benefitted from that outing.

In the Bank of Scotland Juvenile Novices' Hurdle there is precious little form to go on, but Reeds Rains, another trained by Tim Easterby, should not be underestimated in this big field.

King Of The Light, a useful bumper horse a couple of seasons ago, returns to action in the Assert Training Novices' Hurdle.

Owen Brennan's seven-year-old, a dual-winner, has a long absence to overcome, but this useful performer is not one to underestimate.

Tomorrow's tips:

Wetherby

2.20 - Reeds Rains

2.50 - Clear Dawn (Nap)

3.20 - Mrs Jodi

3.50 - Simply Gifted

4.20 - Maximize

4.50 - King Of The Light

5.20 - Dusky Diva

Lingfield

2.10 - Bahamian Rhapsody

2.40 - Mariska

3.10 - Legal Set

3.40 - Historic Treble

4.10 - College Rock

4.40 - Swynford Welcome

5.10 - Noble Calling

5.35 - Sure Quest

Updated: 12:18 Tuesday, October 16, 2001