James Reveley can crown his appointment as first jockey to Nick Williams by winning today’s prestigious Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Diamond Harry.

The Saltburn-based rider, who enjoyed plenty of success in France this summer, is dovetailing the Williams job with his family connection, riding for his trainer-father Keith. It promises to provide him with a useful tally of winners this season.

With the quantity comes the quality and Diamond Harry supplies Reveley jnr with just that in this Bet365-sponsored showiece. This impressive gelding, formerly a high-class hurdler and bumper horse, won the Hennessy Gold Cup on his one and only start last season.

Quite what Diamond Harry might have gone on to achieve last term had he not fallen foul of a training setback is anyone’s guess. But he’s back now and this afternoon’s Grade 2 prize looks well within his reach.

It’s no cakewalk, however. Among the opposition is last year’s winner Nacarat, Paul Nicholls’ high-class Poquelin, who will be partnered by Ruby Walsh, and Time For Rupert, a top novice last season before ending the campaign on a muted note.

Diamond Harry, though, is fancied to have the class to prevail – and put Reveley in the spotlight.

The John Smith’s Hurdle, this afternoon’s other feature race and, like the Charlie Hall, set to be televised live on Channel 4, is another must-see contest.

Preference is for Irish raider Carlito Brigante, trained by the shrewd Gordon Elliott and the mount of Tom Scudamore.

A talented hurdler last season, the five-year-old had a recent run on the Flat to tee him up for this prize which looks a relatively weak Grade 2 contest, despite the presence of last year’s winner, Fair Along.

The seven-race card kicks off with the bet365.com Novices’ Chase, in which Nicholls and Walsh can shine with the useful Round Tom. Also worth noting is the Alan Swinbank-trained Proud Times, a promising performer who can get off the mark in the Bulloughs Cleaning Services Novices’ Hurdle. James Reveley has the mount.

At Carlisle tomorrow, on a non-Flat racing day, a note should be made of Qhilimar in the featured Cumberland Handicap Chase.

Trained by Charlie Longsdon, whose horses are in rude health, the seven-year-old made a winning start to the season when scoring comfortably at Newton Abbot. There looks to be much more to come from him and this £18,000 contest looks a useful target for him.

James Ewart has some decent horses under his care at his yard near Hawick and his Signalman is not to be overlooked in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Novices’ Chase.

Runner-up in both his races last season, he looks the type to come into his own over the major obstacles this winter.

Mr Moonshine has something to find on ratings with some of his rivals in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, but Sue Smith rates her gelding highly as a future chaser.

He proved his worth over hurdles last season and, in a tricky race to weigh up, he is awarded the nap vote to come through with flying colours.

Tim Walford’s French Seventyfive was a winner at Southwell on his last start in August. Although his fitness has to be taken on trust on his reappearance after 11 weeks, the Sheriff Hutton gelding is not to be dismissed lightly.

racing selections

Wetherby (today)
1.40 Round Tom, 2.15 Whoops A Daisy, 2.45 Carlito Brigante, 3.20 Diamond Harry, 4.00 Proud Times, 4.30 Havinggotascoobydo, 5.05 Dhaafer.

Today’s other meetings: Ascot, Ayr, Newmarket and Wolverhampton.

Carlisle (tomorrow)
1.10 Claude Carter, 1.40 Signalman, 2.10 Houston Dynimo, 2.40 Qhilimar, 3.15 Mr Moonshine (NAP), 3.50 French Seventyfive, 4.20 Hi George.

Tomorrow’s other meeting: Huntingdon.