JOHN QUINN and Mick Easterby can fly the North Yorkshire flag on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival at Stratford today.

Norton-based Quinn, who has several entries at the festival, can win the opening Bhest Racing To Schools Juvenile Hurdle with El Beau, who has won two of his four starts over timber and who has finished runner-up in the other two.

His latest performance, against his elders in handicap company in a warm race at Musselburgh last month saw El Beau chase home the useful Streets Of Newyork, who is among Brian Ellison's runners at Cheltenham this week.

El Beau now reverts to his own age-group and Quinn has adopted the shrewd move of taking 7lb off his back with his useful conditonal jockey, Dean Pratt. A bold bid is anticipated.

Nap selection Rear Admiral represents Sheriff Hutton-based Easterby in the Air Ambulance Volunteering Novices' Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old proved a very smart point-to-pointer, winning four of his five races between the flags. He is now pursuing a professional career over fences and was beaten only a length and a half by Present Lodger at Musselburgh less than three weeks ago.

This looks a good opportunity for Rear Admiral to hit the bullseye for Easterby, who will be represented by Lightning Rod in the County Hurdle at the festival.

Scotsbrook Legend is selected to clinch the Warwickshire And Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Handicap Hurdle.

Winner of his final two starts last season, the seven-year-old, trained by Shaun Lycett, looks to be returning to form judged on his latest runner-up effort behind Favourite Girl at Doncaster.

At Taunton, Grove Pride merits attention in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase over almost three and three-quarter miles.

Lightly raced this season, the ten-year-old shaped well last time out at Exeter to finish third to Soll, beaten little more than six lengths. Grove Pride may not have to improve much on that performance to come out on top this time.

What A Scorcher may prove the answer to the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle.

Oliver Sherwood's four-year-old has run creditably in two outings over hurdles at Kempton and on this course. This is a race which may not take a lot of winning and What A Scorcher is fancied to make it third-time-lucky.

Also worth noting are course-and-distance winner Olympian Boy (2.20) and the lightly-raced Ronaldinho (3.20), who is returning from a fall and who remains open to improvement as he gains further experience over fences.
 

Racing selections

Stratford today

2.10 El Beau, 2.40 Rear Admiral (NAP), 3.10 Champagne Rian, 3.40 Scotsbrook Legend, 4.10 Can Mestrel, 4.40 Movie Legend, 5.10 Midsommarkransen.

Taunton today

2.20 Olympian Boy, 2.50 What A Scorcher, 3.20 Ronaldino, 3.50 Grove Pride, 4.20 Made Of Diamonds, 4.50 Ballyegan, 5.20 Kayf Willow.

Today's other meeting

Plumpton.

Tomorrow's meetings

Cheltenham, Sedgefield, Southwell and Wolverhampton.