Piper's Rock, who broke the ice for first-season trainer Emma Lavelle when scoring at Plumpton last month in the hands of Tony McCoy, will again have the services of the champion jockey when he bids for major honours at Taunton tomorrow.

The seven-year-old goes for the 49's South West Racing Club Novices' Handicap Chase and is fancied to take all the beating.

Previously trained by Toby Balding, Piper's Rock, a successful hurdler two seasons ago, missed all last term but has bounced back in excellent form.

His Plumpton victory, which came after being a promising runner-up over hurdles at Fontwell, was achieved in pillar-to-post style by a length from The Cockertoo.

That was his first outing over fences and there is every chance that Piper's Rock is capable of further improvement. He can prove that by winning again tomorrow.

Distant Storm makes plenty of appeal in the South West Racing Club Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle.

Bernard Llewellyn's gelding has finished in the frame in the last three of his four outings this season and was beaten little more than two lengths into third by Tonka at Chepstow recently over an extended two miles.

Tomorrow's extra distance should suit him better and Distant Storm is awarded a Nap vote.

Johns The Boy has solid claims in the Ilminster Handicap Chase. Trained by Norman Mason, who has had three winners in the last two days, Johns The Boy, a veteran campaigner, turned in a poor effort at Fakenham last time but clearly found the rain-softened ground against him.

The fact that he has been sent all the way to Taunton tomorrow from County Durham is a hint in itself.

At Ludlow, Route One looks the one they will all have to beat in the European Breeders' Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Qualifier.

Winner of a 'bumper' at Market Rasen two seasons ago Route One, who was absent last year, returned from a lengthy lay-off to chase home Don Fayrus on his hurdling debut at Wincanton last month. He looks a fair prospect.

Andrew Thornton, who had a couple of heavy falls but no winners at Sedgefield yesterday, can enjoy a more fruitful afternoon at Ludlow tomorrow.

Last season's Gold Cup-winning jockey teams up with Philatelic in the Banks's No 9 Handicap Chase and this course and distance winner is fancied to get back on top after two creditable efforts in defeat this term.

Galloping Guns can blow away his rivals in the Richards Castle Conditional Jockeys Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Tomorrow's tips

TAUNTON

1.00 The Writer, 1.30 Balfour Lady, 2.00 Piper's Rock, 2.30 Frank Byrne, 3.00 Distant Storm (Nap), 3.30 Johns The Boy, 4.00 Sullivans Life.

LUDLOW

1.10 Galloping Guns, 1.40 Sherwood Boy, 2.10 Route One, 2.40 Go Go Henry, 3.10 Philatelic, 3.40 Yorkshire Edition, 4.10 Kiltulaa Lad.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.