Cunning Clarets, winner of the controversial void race at Wetherby earlier this month, returns to the same course this afternoon seeking deserved compensation.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding got the better of a thrilling duel with Kings Counsel to win a handicap hurdle on his latest visit, only for his efforts to be in vain when the stewards declared the race void, a yellow flag having been waved by one of the groundstaff to stop the race after a horse had been injured on the first circuit.

The nine jockeys who ignored the yellow flag and later claimed confusion on the course as black and white checked flags were waved further down the track, each received ten-day bans.

All nine lost their appeal to have that penalty lifted which means that Brian Hughes, successful on Cunning Clarets, is missing from the equation when the Malton gelding runs in the bet365.com Handicap Hurdle, with Dougie Costello taking over the mount.

It looks a tight race, but few would surely begrudge Cunning Clarets an outright victory after winning ‘the race that never was’ on his latest outing.

Today’s card is highlighted by a brace of Listed races, the first of which, the Bet365 Handicap Chase, is the target of Paul Nicholls’ Fistral Beach, who is set to be ridden by top jockey Ruby Walsh, who had threatened to bypass this card in protest at the new whip regulations which cost him a five-day ban last Saturday at Aintree.

Walsh’s appearance aboard Fistral Beach is not only good news for racing, and for Wetherby racegoers, but could also be a significant pointer to the chances of Fistral Beach, lightly-raced last season but a smart performer and a winner first time out.

The Weatherbys Bank Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle is the other Listed race on the programme and Countrywide Flame, trained by John Quinn, makes plenty of appeal.

The gelding has won both his starts over jumps and was a winner of his latest Flat race at Redcar, so there is no doubting that he is in rude health at present. He should go well for Costello, despite the presence of Irish raider The Ice Factor, Mick Channon’s Alfraamsey and recent wide-margin course winner Chadford, trained by Tim Walford at Sheriff Hutton.

Tomorrow’s Newmarket card has a typical back-end look about it, but Frankie Dettori promises to be the jockey to follow.

He has good prospects aboard recent Salisbury winner Ecliptic in the Ben Marshall Stakes and also Mojave, an impressive Leicester winner last time, in the Zetland Conditions Stakes.

The nap vote is awarded to the William Haggas-trained Diala, who sauntered home with four lengths to spare in maiden company on this course a couple of weeks ago. She is fancied to step up in the Montrose Fillies’ Listed Stakes.

• Tomorrow’s Wetherby meeting, featuring the prestigious bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, will be previewed in tomorrow’s paper, with the full declared runners and riders.

Racing selections

Wetherby (today)

2.10 Say No, 2.45 Cunning Clarets, 3.20 Fistral Beach, 3.55 Countrywide Flame, 4.30 Wide Receiver, 5.05 Varkala.

Today’s other meetings

Newmarket, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.

Newmarket (tomorrow)

1.00 Balady, 1.30 No Compromise, 2.05 Ecliptic, 2.40 Mojave, 3.15 Robemaker, 3.55 Diala (NAP), 4.25 Jet Away, 5.00 Namwahjobo.

Ayr (tomorrow)

1.50 Dubious Escapade, 2.25 Born To Shine, 2.55 Aerodynamic, 3.30 Neutrafa, 4.05 Swiftly Done, 4.40 Pertemps Networks, 5.15 Pokfulham.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Ascot, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.