AFTER the frustrations of the big freeze, jump racing returns to Yorkshire for the first time in 2009 at Catterick this afternoon when all seven races have attracted bumper fields.

A total of 109 runners are set to compete and Tom Tate, who trains at Hazlewood, near Tadcaster, will have eyes for only one – Honest John, who contests the Hipswell Novices’ Hurdle.

Winner of the Champion Bumper at Aintree last April, Honest John has shaped encouragingly on both his starts this season over hurdles, but has been found out for pace in the closing stages.

Tate, significantly, steps him up to three miles-plus tomorrow and Honest John, again the mount of Keith Mercer, should have too much class for his rivals.

Dominic Elsworth has made a big impression since leaving his native Yorkshire, after ten years riding for Sue and Harvey Smith at Bingley, to settle in Lambourn, and rode a best-ever 53 winners last season, his first full term in the south.

Elsworth, who has been in cracking form again this winter, returns north with good prospects of completing a double.

He rides Mount Sandel for Oliver Sherwood in the Richmond Beginners’ Chase and this recent Leicester runner-up should make a bold bid to go one better.

In the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Chase, Elsworth will be aboard Paul Webber’s Kate’s Gift, a winner at Leicester last time and a mare who looks to be going the right way over fences.

Quick Will (1.40), a good second at Musselburgh on his recent reappearance, and Malcolm Jefferson’s Young Buddy (3.55), a respectable fourth on his debut at Newcastle, are two others to note.

Jumping fans are in for a treat tomorrow with two major televised events at different venues.

At Ascot, Master Minded lines up against four others in the £140,000 Victor Chandler Chase and, despite the presence of the upwardly mobile Petit Robin, Paul Nicholls’ gelding, the best two-miles chaser in Europe, should not be defeated if anywhere near his best form.

An 11-strong field turn out for the £70,000 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, and, once again, Nicholls promises to play a leading role, this time with Dear Villez.

A smart novice last season, Dear Villez won the Munster National at Limerick in October before finishing a highly-creditable fourth, after being hampered, in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

At Lingfield’s all-weather Flat meeting, make a note of nap selection In Step (3.30), who turns out quickly after a decent effort last week, and Mick Easterby’s sand specialist Atlantic Story (4.00), who will have the services of Jamie Spencer.

Racing selections

Catterick (Today)
12.40 Olimpo, 1.10 Mount Sandel, 1.40 Quick Will, 2.10 Kate’s Gift, 2.45 Honest John, 3.20 Frith, 3.55 Young Buddy.

Today’s other meetings:
Chepstow, Lingfield, Wolverhampton.

Lingfield (Tomorrow)
12.45 Elusive Ronnie, 1.15 Longboat Key, 1.50 Dishdasha, 2.20 Five Star Junior, 2.55 Internationaldebut, 3.30 In Step (NAP), 4.00 Atlantic Story.

Ascot (Tomorrow BBC1)
2.15 Master Minded.

Haydock (Tomorrow BBC1)
1.55 Dear Villez.

Tomorrow’s other meeting:
Wincanton.