MALTON-based conditional jockey Jamie Hamilton heads to Doncaster today with bright prospects of bagging the first double of his career.

The former amateur rider, who shot to fame when winning the Aintree Foxhunters' Chase over the Grand National fences on 100-1 chance Tartan Snow, spent much of last season – after moving to Venetia Williams' yard – sidelined with a shoulder problem. But his shift back to North Yorkshire has coincided with a change of fortune.

Hamilton has ridden three winners already this season on Sgt Bull Berry, who is fancied to initiate his double this afternoon when he also teams up with Oliver's Gold for his Sheriff Hutton boss Mark Walford.

SGT BULL BERRY lines up in the opening betdaq.com - Serious About Horses Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase after a recent win at Southwell.

Good ground, which is on the menu here, is crucial to Peter Maddison's home-bred gelding. He is entitled to go well.

OLIVER'S GOLD has won his last two races at Wetherby and Ayr, looking like a progressive performer in the making.

The seven-year-old now goes for a hat-trick in the betdaq.com Novices' Limited Handicap Chase off a 6lb higher mark – but Hamilton's 5lb allowance erases most of that and puts Oliver's Gold in with a big chance.

HANNAH'S PRINCESS is napped to win the betdaq.com Handicap Hurdle.

Her trainer Warren Greatrex has his team in fine form and the lack of a preparatory outing may not count against Hannah's Princess, a winner on this course last season and a very creditable runner-up in the valuable mares' final at Newbury in March.

ASCOTDEUX NELLERIE takes the eye in the EBF Stalllions betdaq.com Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old has won both his races, a bumper and a hurdle – both at Ludlow – by an aggregate of 19 lengths. He looks an exciting prospect and, despite carrying a penalty, should make a bold bid.

Also worth looking out for on Town Moor are Malcolm Jefferson's DOUBLE W'S (1.20), a good third at Cheltenham last time on his handicap debut, and ROBINS REEF (3.05), a Ludlow winner last time.

Today's feature contest is the £200,000 Hennessy Gold Cup, which has predictably attracted a hugely competitive field to Newbury.

Paul Nicholls' top weight Saphir Du Rheu oozed class when making a winning reappearance at Carlisle and looks sure to go well – but the task of shrugging off 11st 12lb will not be an easy one.

Further down the weights, FINGAL BAY – who is receiving 19lb from Saphir Du Rheu – makes plenty of each-way appeal. He has always been a talented horse, as he showed when winning the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Cheltenham, and his latest runner-up effort behind Smad Place at Kempton, on his first outing since the spring, was an encouraging one.

He is now set to meet Smad Place, another of today's fancied runners, on 8lb better terms, which puts Final Bay in with sound prospects.

The bet365 Long Distance Hurdle, the main supporting race, hosts the eagerly-awaited reappearance of COLE HARDEN.

Greatrex's tough gelding won the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and, if he can reproduce something close to that level of form, he will be very hard to beat.

Greatrex, who gave Cole Harden a breathing operation in the summer, had hoped to have his stable star ready for Wetherby four weeks ago but that race came too soon for him.

He will have most to fear today from Whisper, who was beaten comfortably by Cole Harden at Cheltenham but who turned the tables at Aintree in April.

SIR IVAN looks one to treat with respect in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle. Noel Fehily's mount finished a close-up third to Billy No Name on his reappearance at Wetherby a month ago. He should strip fitter today.

ASO (12.45), who was narrowly beaten at Warwick earlier in the month, and MOUNTAIN KING (3.35), who may have needed the outing when fourth at Wetherby three weeks ago, are two others to note at Newbury's top-notch meeting.