Edwin Tuer, the trainer who had a bumper win on the Lottery a few years ago, bids for a different kind of jackpot at Sandown tomorrow.

The Darlington-based handler sends Through The Rye on the long journey south to contest the £45,000 Sunderlands Imperial Cup and Graham Lee's mount has strong claims.

Through The Rye has been in unstoppable form recently, rattling-up a hat-trick of wins at Sedgefield, Musselburgh and Doncaster.

He takes on superior opposition tomorrow, but such is his form at present, that he commands plenty of respect from the foot of the handicap.

Sandown is not normally a course strongly raided by northern horses, but tomorrow is different and Mary Reveley's Man Murphy is awarded the nap vote in the £37,000 European Breeders' Fund Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

A progressive performer, Man Murphy was foiled of a four-timer at Newcastle on his latest outing when a combination of soft ground, two miles and a muddling gallop proved more than he could handle.

This time, on a sounder surface and stepping up to two-and-a-half miles, he should be much more at home. And, with useful amateur rider Patrick Aspell reducing his weight by 7lb, he makes stacks of appeal.

Reveley can also win the Burnt Oak & Special Cargo Novices' Chase with the smart October Mist.

Conqueror of the mighy Barton at Wetherby last backend, October Mist has experienced mixed fortunes since and was a faller (when looking a real danger to the winner Turgeonev) in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby's Christmas meeting. He should not be overlooked as he returns to action.

While Channel 4 cameras will be covering the principal racing from Sandown, the BBC will be showing three races from Chepstow, highlighted by the £15,000 Lanson Champagne Handicap Chase.

Again, Mary Reveley looks likely to figure in the reckoning, this time with A Piece Of Cake, the mount of Alan Dempsey.

A determined winner at Newcastle last time out, a victory which came following a long absence after a crashing fall at Cheltenham, A Piece Of Cake looks the type to enjoy a rewarding spring campaign. He should take all the beating.

Timmy Murphy, previously troubled by a shoulder injury, rode two winners on his return to action at Wincanton yesterday to show his fitness in advance of next week's Cheltenham Festival meeting.

Murphy can add to his score tomorrow on Ruby Gale, trained by his boss Paul Nicholls, in the San Miguel Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Jocks Cross, winner of the Welsh National on this course, looks up to defying top-weight in the Tote Bookmakers Handicap Chase. Regular rider Brian Crowley will be in the saddle.

Tomorrow's tips:

Sandown

2-10 October Mist, 2-45 Man Murphy (NAP), 3-20 Through The Rye, 3-50 Raffles Rooster, 4-25 Silk Trader, 5-00 No Shenanigans, 5-30 Ajar.

Chepstow

1-15 A Piece Of Cake, 1-45 Ruby Gale, 2-15 Jocks Cross, 2-50 El Monty, 3-25 Follow Me, 4-00 Polar Prospect, 4-30 Tamango.

Updated: 12:35 Friday, March 08, 2002