CAPTAIN SCOOBY, North Yorkshire's grand old-timer of sprinting, heads to Nottingham today with good prospects of adding another win to his creditable and long-standing record of competition.

Trained near Wetherby by Richard Guest, Captain Scooby – who will celebrate his tenth birthday on January 1 – has run in no fewer than 150 races, has won 13, finished second 11 times and has occupied the third-placed slot on 24 occasions.

It's hardly surprising that this hardy gelding is a popular horse wherever he goes and his target this afternoon is the Hayley's Done It For The Girls Handicap (division one).

A winner at Windsor on his latest start, Captain Scooby has his own way of doing things. The chances are he will be nearer last than first in the early stages of this five-furlong contest before coming through late on his preferred soft ground. He is assured of a warm welcome if he can land his 14th career success.

Norton jockey Tom Eaves teamed up successfully with James Given at Southwell yesterday when triumphant with Feelin Dicky. The partnership can follow up with KING OF SWING in Nottingham's opening Racing UK Now Available £10 Per Day Nursery Handicap.

The colt made a winning debut at Haydock when scoring at 33-1 in maiden company. He will not be so generously priced this afternoon on his handicap bow. Off a fair-looking mark of 75, he is fancied to make a bold bid.

The £25,000 Lady Cecil Morpheus Handicap offers YOU'RE FIRED the chance of bagging his third win of the season for Middleham trainer Karl Burke.

Danny Tudhope's mount showed a good attitude to gain a half-length success over Quick Wit at York last month. This looks a tight race but he looks sure to give his running.

Also worthy of attention are Michael Herrington's in-form speedster MERCERS ROW (2.25) and last week's Catterick winner CARD HIGH (4.00).

BALLYALTON returns to action at Warwick to make his fencing debut after missing the whole of last season.

The eight-year-old, trained by Ian Williams, was a high-class novice hurdler two seasons ago and found only the mighty Faugheen too strong when chasing him home in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Ballyalton had always been considered to be a chaser in the making and his time has now come. He merits special attention in the Weatherbys Diary Novices' Chase, which has attracted only four runners, but his three rivals are no mean performers. This is most definitely a race to see.

SWORD OF THE LORD can get punters off to a good start in the 32Red Handicap Hurdle.

Although he has yet to open his account in eight tries over hurdles, the gelding – trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies – had been in winning form on the Flat during the summer.

He shaped well back over timber last time when finishing third at Perth and has strong each-way claims here with Ryan Hatch in the saddle.

Neil Mulholland has his string in fine form and nap selection PURE POTEEN can be another winner for this capable trainer in the £10 Free At 32Red.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.

Although he failed to complete the course in three successive races, Pure Poteen got off the mark at Chepstow last time and may be able to defy a 6lb rise in his rating.

Alan King saddles an interesting newcomer in PEMBA in the Anixter Partners Day Juvenile Hurdle. Unplaced in two Flat races in France, she took a marked step forward when finishing third on her hurdling debut at Auteuil.

She has since been bought by the Million In Mind Partnership, which make good choices in sourcing new horses. Pemba might be a useful addition to their string.

Also worth noting are recent winner ALOOMOMO (3.40), who looks capable of defying a penalty, and the promising bumper recruit SECRET DOOR (4.10), now under the care of Harry Fry.