Lord Noelie, without a win since landing the 2000 Royal & Sun Alliance Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, is set to play a starring role in tomorrow's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Also lining-up for the feature event is the Brandsby-trained Hussard Collonges, winner of the Royal & SunAlliance this year.

But with both horses making their seasonal debuts, on this occasion Lord Noelie has slightly more appeal to me than Peter Beaumont's star chaser, especially in receipt of 5lb.

Trained by Henrietta Knight, whose horses are in fine form, Lord Noelie was running a big race in last year's 'Charlie Hall' before falling at the third-last fence, with his jockey still to ask for a major effort.

The gelding went on to finish fourth to What's Up Boys in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, which was a sterling effort to be beaten less than three lengths under top weight of 12st.

Although he failed to win a race last season, Lord Noelie is a high-class performer and is probably most effective when caught fresh.

I think it will be difficult to beat him tomorrow, but fingers are crossed for a big first run from Hussard Collonges, who has all the credentials to develop into another distinguished chaser to emerge from Beaumont's Foulrice Farm at Brandsby, which has produced the likes of Jodami and Young Kenny.

Bindaree, last season's Martell Grand National winner makes his reappearance over the smaller obstacles in the John Smith's Hurdle, but may find one or two of his rivals too speedy.

My vote goes to Boss Doyle, trained in Ireland by Mouse Morris and the winner of this race for the last two years.

Tunstall made a successful debut over timber on this course last month. Tim Easterby's promising three-year-old should not be underestimated in the Freephone Stanley Wensleydale Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, with Russ Garritty again taking the mount.

Trusting Tom, who has missed a couple of tempting engagements this week, turns out for the Arthur Stephenson Novices' Handicap Chase and gets my Nap vote.

Chris Bealby's gelding created a good impression when making a winning reappearance at Market Rasen earlier this month and looks a horse with a bright future.

The jumpers also take centre stage at Ascot, where Brian Ellison's Batswing should go well in the £30,000 United House Handicap Chase. Vinny Keane's mount made significant progress over fences last season and looks set for another lucrative campaign.

On the Flat at Newmarket, Mark Johnston's Amundsen is worthy of attention in the Zetland Stakes, a race the Middleham trainer has 'farmed' in the last 10 years. Keith Dalgleish takes the mount on this progressive young stayer.

Saturday's tips:

Wetherby

12.40 Trusting Tom (Nap), 1.10 Turgeonev, 1.40 Tunstall, 2.15 Lord Noelie, 2.50 Exstoto, 3.20 Boss Doyle, 3.55 Jaboune.

Ascot

(televised races)

1.20 Dream With Me, 1.50 Infrasonique, 2.20 Batswing.

Newmarket

(televised races)

1.55 Amundsen, 2.30 Beauchamp Pilot, 3.05 Abundant, 3.40 Unshakable.

Updated: 13:41 Friday, November 01, 2002