Cullane Lake, who ran a blinder to finish second at Market Rasen four weeks ago after spending 18 months on the sidelines, can fulfil that promise tomorrow.

The eight-year-old returns to the Lincolnshire course for the Clugston Handicap Chase and is expected to relish the gruelling three and a half miles trip.

Cullane Lake is trained at Middleham by Kate Milligan, whose horses have been in cracking form.

Winner of a point-to-point in his native Ireland before joining Milligan, Cullane Lake scored at Hexham two season ago before falling foul of leg problems.

On his comeback outing failed by less than a length to catch Lay It Off. Sure to have benefited from that race, Cullane Lake can make his presence felt tomorrow.

Milligan can also land the John Smith's Juvenile Novices' Hurdle with Tender Touch, who gave notice of better things to come on her jumping debut on this course last month.

The three-year-old finished a creditable five lengths runner-up to Premium Quest despite blundering at the final flight. She would not need to improve much on that performance to win tomorrow.

Fair And Fancy, runner-up in both his races this season, gives Milligan another solid chance in the Robert Peak Handicap Hurdle but the Nap vote here is awarded to Jessica One.

From the Mary Reveley stable, which is flying high, Jessica One has been saved for this race instead of taking up the option of running at Leicester today.

Her latest outing saw her win at Catterick last week and, because that race was restricted to conditional jockeys, she escapes a penalty tomorrow.

Her regular rider Michael Naughton will be able to claim his 5lb allowance this time, having been unable to do so because of the conditions of the Catterick event. Jessica One will surely take all the beating, despite top weight.

Reveley can also lift the Come Racing on Boxing Day 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle with Mr Busby, a winner over this course and distance a fortnight ago.

Peter Niven's mount, who had previously shown good form in bumpers, looks the type to make a name for himself over timber.

Fen Terrier has excellent prospects of opening her winning account in the Tattersalls Ireland/European Breeders Fund Mares Only Novices' Chase (Qualifier).Barry Murtagh's six-year-old was an unlucky loser at Sedgefield last month, being seven lengths clear at the final fence when she stumbled and fell. She was remounted to finish.

At Ludlow, make a note of the in-form Cadbury Castle, who goes for a hat-trick of wins in the Shropshire Building Supplies Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

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