Nowell House, triumphant for Mick Easterby's Sheriff Hutton yard at Newmarket last week, heads south again tomorrow in search of an even bigger prize.

The gelding travels to Epsom to contest the £15,000 Stanley Racing Great Metropolitan Handicap, an historic event, and one of three races being televised live from the Derby venue on BBC.

A terrific money-spinner, who paid his way on the Flat last season and again over hurdles during the winter, Nowell House continues to earn his corn.

His latest Newmarket success, bravely achieved in a photo-finish, came after a creditable runner-up effort at Musselburgh, where he found the one mile and five furlongs beyond him.

Tomorrow's mile and a half is the ideal trip for Nowell House, who will have the assistance of Richard Quinn. Despite a 5lb penalty for his recent win, a bold bid is anticipated from the North Yorkshire raider.

Pat Eddery, who rode a four-timer at Nottingham yesterday to increase his lead at the top of the championship table, is unlikely to return home empty-handed from Epsom.

The 11-times champion can take the opening honours on Brian Meehan's Tamiami Trail, a good winner at Doncaster last month and clearly considered capable of coping with this step up in class.

Eddery can also lift the Stanley Racing Handicap over five furlongs on Faute de Mieux, trained by former jockey Micky Kettle.

This very able sprinter goes well with some cut in the ground and, with conditions to his liking tomorrow, he is awarded the nap to start the season on a winning note.

In the Stanley Racing City And Surburban Handicap, a 5lb penalty may not be enough to anchor Gentleman Venture, a recent winner at Kempton and previously successful on this course.

The three-day Perth Festival kicks off with an abundance of runners making their way to Britain's most northerly track.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has travelled his horses further than most and the Gloucestershire trainer can be rewarded with Brambly Hedge (2-50), the mount of Carl Llewellyn.

In the two £10,000 races on the card, a note should be made of Mick Easterby's Noshinannikin (3-25) and the Len Lungo-trained Lord Of The Sky (4-35).

Beverley off

Thursday's meeting at Beverley was abandoned today when an inspection revealed parts of the home straight were waterlogged.

Tomorrow's Tips:

EPSOM

2.00 Tamiami Trail

2.30 Nowell House

3.05 Alowmdah

3.40 Faute de Mieux (NAP)

4.15 Gentleman Venture

4.50 Bold Raider

PERTH

2.20 The Grey Dyer

2.50 Brambly Hedge

3.25 Noshinannikin

4.00 Cosmic Case

4.35 Lord Of The Sky

5.10 Over The Burn

5.40 Another Chance

Updated: 16:14 Tuesday, April 24, 2001