Malcolm Jefferson, who saddled three winners last week, is the trainer to follow at Wetherby this afternoon.

The Norton handler, whose horses seem to be reaching top form after an in and out winter, is fancied to complete a double with King Fontaine and Young Buddy.

King Fontaine goes for the wetherbyracing.co.uk Novices’ Chase and is capable of lifting the prize on the evidence of his latest effort at Carlisle, where he finished a good second to the well fancied Award Winner.

A dual winner, there is more to come from King Fontaine, who, under Phil Kinsella, can take top honours this time. His performance, incidentally, will give a pointer to the chances later in the card of his Carlisle conqueror, Award Winner.

Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding, previously successful at Bangor, runs in the £10,000 Ladies Day – 20th May Handicap Chase. With Richie McLernon set to claim a handy 3lb off his back, he will surely take plenty of beating.

Jefferson’s second winning chance comes with Young Buddy in the Benfield Ford Wetherby Handicap Hurdle.

Second to Humbie at Kelso last time out, Young Buddy had previously finished an equally creditable third at Carlisle.

He looks like a winner waiting to happen and Kyle James, who is attached to the Jefferson stable, is very good value for his 7lb claim. The combination should make a bold bid.

Troodos Jet, who runs in the opening conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle, is a horse in form.

Diane Sayer’s gelding won over fences at Carlisle recently. This switch to the smaller obstacles should not inconvenience him and he is expected to figure in the shake up.

Bocamix has done well this season for Middleham trainer Andy Crook, who expects the step up to two-and-a-half miles to suit his French recruit in the Bramham Hall Novices’ Hurdle.

Tomorrow, Catterick stages its first Flat meeting of 2010 and the nap vote is awarded to a horse who goes particularly well on the course.

Bijou Dan, trained at Middleham by George Moore, has won three times on the track and comes from a stable in decent form. The expected ease in the ground will not inconvenience Bijou Dan, who is fancied to prevail in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap.

Few Catterick meetings come and go without Mark Johnston figuring on the scoresheet and the trainer can hit the target tomorrow with Becausewecan in the Ted Thompson 81st Birthday Handicap.

Although he has come up short in two outings on sand this year, Becausewecan will be fit from those exertions and is expected to be better suited by returning to turf.

Hits Only Jude (3.40), trained at Sledmere by Declan Carroll, has been in good form on the all-weather, while Fashion Icon (4.40) ran well to finish second at Southwell recently.

• North Yorkshire’s Grand National hope, the John Quinn-trained Character Building, will be carrying new colours at Aintree on Saturday.

The horse has been purchased by David and Patricia Thompson, the owners of Cheveley Park Stud, who bought Party Politics days before his 1992 National triumph.

Racing selections

Wetherby (today) 2.10 Troodos Jet, 2.45 King Fontaine, 3.20 Young Buddy, 3.55 Award Winner, 4.25 Bocamix, 4.55 Pistol Basc, 5.30 Island Fellow.

Today’s other meetings: Ffos Las and Southwell.

Catterick (tomorrow) 2.10 Royal Dignitary, 2.40 Bijou Dan (NAP), 3.10 Becausewecan, 3.40 Hits Only Jude, 4.10 Ventura Cove, 4.40 Fashion Icon, 5.10 Sharp Shoes.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Kempton, Lingfield and Nottingham.