WILL BE DONE will take plenty of beating in Wetherby’s feature Towton Novices’ Chase today.

Donald McCain’s progressive eight-year-old hasn’t stopped improving and is taken to score in the £33,000 contest.

Will Be Done clearly loves the Wetherby track, having already put the One Man Novices’ Chase and the skyvegas.com Novices’ Chase on the mantelpiece.

He stepped up again when taking a Grade 3 at Haydock and comes to Wetherby seeking a five-timer over fences.

There may only be five runners but it’s a hugely competitive field which also sees Skippers Brig hunting a hat-trick and Companero looking for a four-timer.

Companero, in particular, will relish the soft ground but if Will Be Done can handle the step up in trip to three miles, he should take some stopping. Pinewood Legend, saddled by Malton’s Peter Niven, looks the one to follow in the opening TurfTV Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old scored his first win at Ayr earlier this month when demolishing Giant’s Star by six lengths and, despite going up 10lbs for that success, he has fewer questions to answer than some of his rivals.

A tongue strap seems to have made all the difference.

Howard Johnson’s horses have been in tremendous form and the County Durham handler can notch up another success with River Shanakill in the European Communications Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Disappointing last time out when only fourth in a Novice Hurdle at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, she acts on soft and may enjoy a step up in trip to three miles.

The main danger looks to be Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson’s Stick Together but River Shanakill had seven lengths to spare when beating her at Newcastle in November and could have a couple of pounds still in hand.

Corlande might be able to deny Johnson a double in the totescoop6 Record Rollover Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old disappointed when finishing seventh of 12 at Doncaster last weekend but performs at his best on soft ground in small fields.

All of his six wins have come in races where the runners have numbered nine or less – a condition which should apply in the £20,000 two mile, four furlong contest.

Johnson’s Ellerslie George will be a firm favourite given his love of the track – he has three wins in four starts.

He gamely resisted Corlande by only half a length at Wetherby on Boxing Day but, this time, his rival has an extra pound in the pocket and is better value. He is awarded the nap vote.

Tim Walford’s Sheriff Hutton is a horse in good form but it’s questionable whether soft ground will help in the totescoop6 Millionaire Maker Handicap Hurdle.

While the six-year-old is sure to be in the frame, preference is given to Paul Nicholls’ Bold Policy, who bolted home by 13 lengths at Fontwell on soft ground before Christmas.

Others to note are It’s Bertie (4pm) and Go On Be A Lady (4.30pm).

Racing selections

Wetherby (today) 1.15 Pinewood Legend, 1.45 River Shanakill, 2.20 Corlande (NAP), 2.50 Bold Policy, 3.25 Will Be Done, 4.00 It’s Bertie, 4.30 Go On Be A Lady.

Today’s other meetings: Doncaster, Lingfield and Sandown.

Southwell (tomorrow) 1.20 West End Lad, 1.50 Patronne, 2.20 Kamanja, 2.50 Madison Belle (NAP), 3.20 Dancing Wave, 3.50 Ridley Didley, 4.20 Alberts Story.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Fontwell and Musselburgh.