ISTIMRAAR, who trotted up at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, returns to the course this afternoon with strong claims of producing a swift double.

Trained by Phil Kirby, who will be moving from his Middleham base in the next couple of months to take over a yard next to Keith Reveley’s Lingdale stables near Saltburn, the gelding goes for the Betfred Novices’ Hurdle.

The handicapper raised Istimraar a whopping 15lb for winning by ten lengths on his latest start without being asked a major question. In that sort of form, and with Adam Nicol again on board, the four-year-old is fancied to oblige again.

Tim Easterby saddles both Getabuzz and Dark Dune in the Wills Property Services Handicap Hurdle.

Both horses are previous course winners, but marginal preference is for Dark Dune, the mount of the Great Habton trainer’s amateur son William.

Dark Dune, who has been running over fences this season, may well appreciate the return to hurdles. He won over the smaller obstacles last season on this track and also at Newcastle.

With young Easterby claiming a valuable 7lb off his back, he is given the vote over Getabuzz, the mount of Dougie Costello.

Jennie Candlish has her horses back in fine form after a spell in the doldrums and it would be no surprise to see her win the Happy New Year From Paxtons Handicap Chase with Basford Ben.

The seven-year-old returned to form when getting home in a tight finish at Carlisle last month. Peter Carberry again has the mount this afternoon.

Kim Bailey can clinch the Windpower Energy Resources Mares’ National Hunt Maiden Hurdle with nap selection Knocklayde Express.

Previously trained by Stuart Crawford, the six-year-old won a bumper at Kelso last season on her only outing to date.

She looks the type to make a name for herself in single-sex races over hurdles and this hardly looks a competitive contest.

Crawford can also make his mark on the Sedgefield card with Legacy Phoenix in the No Deposit Free Bets With bookmakers.co.uk National Hunt Flat Race.

The trainer does particularly well in these events and Legacy Phoenix was denied by only half a length on her debut here six weeks ago.

At Southwell, John Quinn switches Forced Family Fun to flat racing in the opening Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap.

A winner over hurdles at Wetherby in November, Forced Family Fun is a fair performer on the level and is a three-time winner.

Although yet to strike in two tries on a synthetic surface, the Norton gelding is selected to make it third time lucky.

Scott Dixon, who trains at nearby Retford, is going great guns at present on his local track.

Best Tamayuz can be another winner for him in the Ladbrokes Handicap.

The four-year-old has won three times on the Fibresand circuit, most recently when comfortably accounting for his rivals ten days ago.

Apprentice Tim Clark, in the saddle that day, again has the mount.

Norton trainer Neville Bycroft placed Eium Mac to get off the mark at this venue last week.

The Ladbrokes Mobile Handicap has been chosen for the six-year-old to carry a penalty.

Over the same distance of a mile and with Raul da Silva again on board, Eium Mac is taken to complete a quick double on a surface that plainly suits him


Sedgefield today: 1.00 Istimraar, 1.30 Knocklayde Express (NAP), 2.00 Zazamix, 2.30 Dark Dune, 3.00 Basford Ben, 3.30 Legacy Phoenix.

Southwell today: 12.50 Forced Family Fun, 1.20 Generous Dream, 1.50 Toofeeg, 2.20 Best Tamayuz, 2.50 Belahodood, 3.20 Lewamy, 3.50 Eium Mac.

Today’s other meeting: Bangor.