John Quinn, who intends to give his Grand National hope Character Building a final run before Aintree this weekend at either Newbury or Doncaster, is on the prowl of a considerably smaller prize at Catterick today.

The Norton trainer saddles Not Talking in the £3,700 xtremeadventuresuk.com Handicap Hurdle and Dougie Costello’s mount is napped to resume winning ways.

A winner at Newcastle over hurdles before finishing a good second at Hereford, Not Talking was switched to fences on his latest start at Musselburgh last month and failed to transfer his abilities to the major obstacles, being well beaten from a long way out.

This afternoon, Not Talking reverts back to hurdles and, off a light weight in this long-distance event, is taken to pick up the pieces of his career on behalf of a trainer who has confirmed he will be doubly represented at the Cheltenham Festival, now just over two weeks away.

Quinn will saddle his Totesport Trophy winner Recession Proof in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the first race on the first day, and last month’s Wetherby winner Moonlight Drive in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Bright Sparky, who has been in fine form on the Flat lately for Mick Easterby, should go well in the opening racinguk.com Lady Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle.

A winner over this course and distance in the past, Bright Sparky will be partnered by Jacqueline Coward, Easterby’s granddaughter, who would be a fitting winner of this race. Two years ago, in the corresponding contest, she suffered a heavy fall and was airlifted to hospital with head and shoulder injuries.

The accomplished Coward was off for some time after that spill, but she has since returned as good as ever, and Bright Sparky will certainly not lack from assistance from the saddle if he’s in with a winning chance in the final half-mile.

Last week’s Wetherby winner Pamak d’Airy (3.10), trained at Stillington by Harry Hogarth, goes for a quick double over fences under Brian Hughes, who also has winning prospects aboard Howard Johnson’s Silent Cliche (4.10), provided a fall last month at Sedgefield has not affected the confidence of this promising young chaser.

At Lingfield tomorrow, two North Yorkshire trainers threaten to figure on the scoreboard at the Surrey track.

Alan Swinbank runs Bosambo (4.20), who found only Social Form half-a-length too strong for him over this course and distance a fortnight ago. He should make a bold bid to go one better.

York Glory (4.55), trained by Kevin Ryan, was significantly made favourite for Bosambo’s race last time, but could finish only third on his first outing. Ryan has dropped him back a furlong tomorrow and the hint should be taken. He is awarded the nap vote.


Racing selections

Catterick (today)
2.10 Bright Sparky, 2.40 Not Talking (NAP), 3.10 Pamak d’Airy, 3.40 A Bridge Too Far, 4.10 Silent Cliche, 4.40 Moscow Mischief, 5.10 Sir Charlie Hutch.

Today’s other meetings:
Plumpton and Wolverhampton.

Lingfield (tomorrow)
2.10 Jack’s Revenge, 2.40 A Little Bit Dusty, 3.10 Kahfre, 3.45 Katmai River, 4.20 Bosambo, 4.55 York Glory (NAP), 5.25 Very Well Red.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Ffos Las and Leicester.