NORTH Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby, who placed Run Ructions Run to win four races last season, heads to Haydock today in the hope of returning his smart mare to the winning trail after an encouraging comeback effort.

The five-year-old will be partnered by James Reveley in the Grech Family Handicap Hurdle following a fine first effort of the campaign on this course four weeks ago when she chased home On Tour.

There was a lot to like about that performance from Run Ructions Run, a bumper winner in her early days, who went from strength to strength last term. There could be even more to come from this consistent mare this winter and her journey across the M62 from her Great Habton base, near Malton, is expected to pay dividends.

Venetia Williams may prove the trainer to follow at the Lancashire course. She has excellent prospects with the useful Vivaccio, wide-margin winner of his two starts over fences at Ludlow, in the Swift First Time Right Novices' Chase, and Ballyoliver, a Bangor winner, who ran well in defeat at Ascot last time, in the featured Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

Goohar can get punters off to a winning start at Haydock.

A winner over the same course and distance last December, Henry Daly's gelding failed by only a head to beat Starluck at Cheltenham on his latest start a week ago. Provided this race does not come too soon for him after those exertions, he should take plenty of beating in the hands of Jake Greenall and earns the nap vote.

Bitofapuzzle (1.30), unbeaten in three bumpers and a hurdle, and Closing Ceremony (3.15), a course and distance winner four weeks ago, are also worth keeping on the right side.

At Ascot, Irish raider Clondaw Warrior may be the best solution to the £100,000 Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle.

This is an ultra-competitive race, and any amount of horses can be given a chance, but the Willie Mullins-trained Clondaw Warrior finished a close-up third to Garde Le Victoire in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and, on 3lb better terms, is taken to gain his revenge over the top-weight.

The Young Master was sensationally disqualified after easily winning the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton last month after being found to be not qualified to run. The handicapper has since raised his mark by no less than 14lb, so it is hoped he can gain deserved compensation in the £100,000 Mappin & Webb Silver Cup Handicap Chase. Although running off his new mark, Neil Mulholland's smart performer merits the utmost respect.

The £100 JLT Long Walk Hurdle is the other feature race on the card and Zarkandar will surely be hard to deny in this Grade 1 event.

The Paul Nicholls-trained performer won at this level in France on his latest outing seven weeks ago and is comfortably the highest-rated runner in this non-handicap event. He will be a tough nut to crack, despite the presence of last year's winner Reve de Sivola and recent Haydock scorer Aubusson.

Nicholls and his number-one jockey Sam Twiston-Davies can also lift the David Johnson Shawbrook Bank Graduation Chase with Irish Saint.

A 150-rated hurdler, the five-year-old made a winning debut over fences at Sandown before finishing a close-up third to his stable mate Vibrato Valtat in a hot race on the same course recently. He remains a horse to follow over fences.

Also worthy of attention at the day's premier meeting are the progressive Flintham (12.45), a Chepstow winner last month, and Malibu Sun (1.50), winner of his last five completed races.

Selections

Haydock today
12.00 Goohar (NAP), 12.30 Stagcoach Pearl, 1.00 Vivaccio, 1.30 Bitofapuzzle, 2.05 Ballyoliver, 2.40 Run Ructions Run, 3.15 Closing Ceremony.

Ascot today
12.45 Flintham, 1.15 Irish Saint, 1.50 Malibu Sun, 2.25 Zarkandar, 3.00 The Young Master, 3.30 Clondaw Warrior.

Today's other meetings: Lingfield and Newcastle.

Tomorrow's meetings: Fakenham and Lingfield.