Lord Who can strike another blow for Ireland in the big race at Uttoxeter tomorrow at the end of a memorable week for the raiders from across the water.

Led by Moscow Flyer in the Champion Chase and Hardy Eustace, winning his second Champion Hurdle, Irish horses have enjoyed a lucrative seven-win assault at Cheltenham, and there is every chance that Lord Who will continue the bombardment in the £100,000 John Smith's Midlands Grand National.

The Irish have won three of the past five renewals of this gruelling race and Lord Who is fancied to record a third straight win for the visitors in the hands of Davy Russell.

The eight-year-old, trained by Pat Doyle, is a progressive horse, who was twice a winner over fences last season, which included a Grade 2 victory.

He has been in fine form lately, winning a three-mile hurdle at Naas last month before he finished a good second at Leopardstown.

This race has been his objective for some time and, having looked a thorough stayer over an extended three miles, tomorrow's step-up to four miles-plus is expected to bring out even more improvement in him. He warrants plenty of respect.

Alan King has not had much to cheer about at Cheltenham, but the canny trainer has good prospects of landing the Tattersalls (Ireland) Mares' Novices' Chase Final with Shaadiva, the mount of stable jockey Robert Thornton.

The seven-year-old came good at Market Rasen last time, showing a good attitude to come out on top after a battle from the final fence.

Schuh Shine, winner of his last three starts, could well extend his sequence in the totepool Novices' Handicap Chase on behalf of trainer Venetia Williams, on the mark at Cheltenham on Wednesday with Idole First.

At Newcastle, A Few Bob Back would be a popular winner of the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle.

The gelding scored here a fortnight ago, providing local trainer Karen McLintock with her first winner since she took over the licence from her boss Don Eddy in February. He had a good chance of following-up and is awarded the nap.

Torkinking has proved a revelation this season and Maurice Barnes' front-runner goes for his fourth win off the bounce in the cantorspreadfair.com Handicap Hurdle.

Already successful over this course-and-distance, Torkinking has since won at Ayr and Haydock under Jim Crowley, who partners him again tomorrow.

County Durham trainer Howard Johnson has enjoyed an outstanding Cheltenham, saddling no fewer than three winners, highlighted by Inglis Drever in yesterday's World Hurdle.

Johnson has smaller fish to fry at Newcastle, and can make his mark with Top Style (1-40) and Only Once (2-40).

Both will be partnered by Alan Dempsey, who has been in great form since returning from injury a week or so ago.

It would be remiss not to mention tomorrow's Lingfield meeting, which features a £100,000 prize in the shape of the Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby.

Ecomium, who had a spell at ante-post favourite for the Vodafone Derby last year before injury intervened, is a high-class performer from the Jeremy Noseda stable.

He will be hard to beat in this televised showpiece, in which Kieren Fallon and Frankie Dettori will be aboard rivals, Billy Allen and Caluki.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Uttoxter

1-30 Shaadiva, 2-00 Famous Grouse, 2-35 Lord Who, 3-10 Schuh Shine, 3-40 Always Waining, 4-15 Deep Water, 4-45 Erins Love

Newcastle

1-40 Top Style, 2-10 Torkinking, 2-40 Only Once, 3-15 Place Above, 3-45 A Few Bob Back (NAP), 4-20 Beamish Prince, 4-50 Lauderdale

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Wolverhampton and Lingfield.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, March 18, 2005