SYMONDS INN, who finished seventh in last year's Derby, is now carving out a career for himself over hurdles and heads to Haydock tomorrow in a bid to add to his recent debut success at Market Rasen.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy, who rode Symonds Inn that day, has been booked to partner the Jimmy FitzGerald-trained colt again in the Optispeed Novices' Hurdle, and a 6lb penalty may not be enough to halt him.

Symonds Inn, whose form on the Flat this season left much to be desired, has his share of critics.

There is no doubt that he looked a little half-hearted about over-exerting himself at Market Rasen, despite his wide winning margin. That said, he is a horse with a touch of class and he should prove too strong for his rivals tomorrow.

Nap selection No More Hassle will be hard to beat in the Preston Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle.

Mary Reveley's gelding has finished second in both his starts this season and went down by the slimmest of margins to Bakkar at Wetherby last Friday. Compensation awaits him here.

Grinkov, who has returned from a three month break in excellent form, can round off his season by landing the major spoils at Brighton tomorrow.

The three-year-old money spinner, trained by Hugh Morrison, bid for the 49's George Robey Challenge Trophy Handicap in the hands of Chris Rutter.

Grinkov performed well on his come-back effort at Leicester last month when finishing fifth of 19 to Iron Mountain and showed the benefit of that outing at Folkestone recently.

Striking the front well over a furlong out, Grinkov showed admirable battling qualities to hold off King Priam by half a length, the pair finishing clear of the remainder of the field.

Still on a reasonable handicap mark, Grinkov can oblige again.

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