It was with a huge sigh of relief that Micky Hammond welcomed Patras into the winners' enclosure at Newcastle yesterday.

Middleham trainer Hammond's horses have been out of sorts for weeks and yesterday's win was his first success since early in December.

The tide might now have turned for Hammond, who heads to Wetherby tomorrow with solid claims of scoring with Nap selection Eastern Project in the Askham Bryan Handicap Hurdle.

A consistent campaigner, Eastern Project returned to action recently at Catterick after a two months absence and ran a race full of promise to finish a close third to Marigliano and Classic Eagle.

The five-year-old would not need to improve much on that performance to win tomorrow.

Hang'em Out To Dry may prove the answer to the Helmsley Novices' Handicap Chase.

Owned by Shirley and Alec Russell from Huttons Ambo, Hang'em Out To Dry, a creditable third at Hereford last time, had previously won at Doncaster and Leicester. He should go well in this tightly -knit five runner field.

Jowoody has been a revelation since joining trainer Mary Reveley and has won her last three starts in decisive fashion.

The six-year-old, most recently successful at Newcastle 11 days ago, bids to extend her winning sequence to four by landing the Hoechst Roussel Panacur Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).

Tim Easterby, whose horses are in excellent form, can lift the East Keswick Handicap Chase with Golden Hello. The eight-year-old is not the easiest of horses to win with, but faces only four rivals tomorrow.

Peter Beaumont, fresh from his big race success with Young Kenny in last Saturday's Greenalls Grand National trial at Haydock, can add to his score courtesy of Niki Dee in the Mark Cocker Novices' Chase.

Winner of his last three completed starts and no stranger to this course, the smart nine-year-old has strong claims.

At Chepstow, the £15,000 Prestige Novices' Hurdle, the day's feature event, looks destined to go to Kingsmark, the mount of Richard Dunwoody.

Oliver Sherwood's six-year-old is unbeaten in four races this season and impressively justified odds-on favouritism at Kempton on his latest start. A high-class horse he can complete a five-timer.

Oban can gain a long overdue a win by triumphing in the Huntsman's Handicap Chase.

A good second to the in-form Zaggy Lane at Taunton last time might well have been due to Oban wearing blinkers for the first time. Henrietta Knight's charge deserves the chance to go one better tomorrow.

Avro back on National trail

Malton-trained Avro Anson aims to get his Martell Grand National preparations back on track at Doncaster on Saturday.

The 11-year-old, who has run only once this season, is entered in the Pertemps Grimethorpe Chase over three and a quarter miles.

Trainer Julie Camacho has endured a frustrating time with the useful staying chaser in recent seasons.

Avro Anson finished sixth in the 1997 Grand National and was declared overnight for the race last year but was pulled out because of soft ground and by-passed the Scottish equivalent for the same reason.

The gelding has had only one run this season, back in October, when pulled up behind Marello in the Tote West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.

Julie Camacho's father Maurice said: "It's the old problem that he must have fast ground. He's very well and ready to run. Hopefully we can get him out on Saturday, then maybe give him another run at Doncaster on the Flat before the National."

Avro Anson, who has 10st in the Grand National, is 66-1 with bookmakers Ladbrokes.

Young Kenny, convincing winner of the Greenalls Grand National Trial at Haydock last Saturday, might re-appear in the Marstons Pedigree Bitter Midlands Grand National two weeks on Saturday.

The eight-year-old's Brandsby near Easingwold trainer Peter Beaumont said: "We won't take him to the Cheltenham Festival but we might go to Uttoxeter for the Midlands National. There is a very good prize on offer there and the trip will suit him - though he would want some cut in the ground.

"We also have the Irish Grand National a couple of weeks later in mind."

Beaumont added that Young Kenny's stable companion Island Chief, who finished last in the Greenalls race on ground too sticky for him, will be going to Cheltenham for the William Hill Handicap.

Fitzgerald gets the Call

Mick Fitzgerald will take the plum ride on Call Equiname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed today. Call Equiname, winner of the Victor Chandler Chase at Kempton on his only outing so far this term, is second favourite.

Tomorrow's tips

WETHERBY

2.00..............Chief Wardance

2.30...........................Niki Dee

3.00...................Scotmail Lad

3.30......Hang'em Out To Dry

4.00...........................Jowoody

4.35...................Golden Hello

5.05....Eastern Project (Nap)

CHEPSTOW

2.20...................In The Blood

2.50..........................Breteche

3.20................Spring Double

3.50......................Kingsmark

4.20................................Oban

4.55...................Picket Piece

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.