Stormy Weather, denied a run in yesterday’s Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, bids for compensation at Newcastle this afternoon.

The North Yorkshire gelding will have the assistance of Denis O’Regan, who has won on him before and who rode a mighty race to gain a memorable victory for Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson on Cape Tribulation at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Stormy Weather is trained by Jefferson’s neighbour, Brian Ellison, who placed him to win here and at Musselburgh before a gallant defeat, back on this course last time at the hands of Palawi.

Considering Ellison had fancied Stormy Weather to go well at Cheltenham, his chances today, even under top weight, must be respected.

Sue Smith is selected to complete a first and last race double with Cloudy Too and Karmadice.

The mount of smart 7lb claimer Jonathan England, Cloudy Too finished a respectable fourth at Bangor just over two weeks ago on his first outing since filling third spot on the same course in December. Smith’s horses are in better form now than they were in mid-winter and Cloudy Too is napped to return to winning ways.

Karmadice runs in the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Handicap Hurdle and tackles a course where he was successful earlier in his career.

The ten-year-old finished a good second at Catterick on his latest start. He may not need to produce much better to go one better this afternoon.

Definite Appeal has been in fine form since Christmas.

A winner at Musselburgh on New Year’s day, Susan Corbett’s nine-year-old was beaten by a short head here two starts back and was an equally creditable fourth to the well-backed Harris Hawk on this track recently.

He has strong claims in the STP Construction Handicap Chase.

At Carlisle tomorrow, Venetia Williams can take the honours by completing a double with Rigadin de Beauchene and Sustainability.

The latter has been in a rich vein of form lately, rattling up a hat-trick of wins at Hereford, Uttoxeter and on this course last time when beating Lexi’s Boy.

The handicapper may not have caught up with him yet and, with Adrian Coleman in the saddle, a bold bid is anticipated in the Happy Mother’s Day From Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle.

Rigadin de Beauchene goes for the Beadle & Hill Handicap Chase with useful claimer Robbie Dunne on board and this consistent performer is fancied to figure in the shake-up. He finished in the frame at Fontwell on his last two starts and is overdue another winning turn.

Donald McCain, among the winners at Cheltenham this week, can add to his tally with Nowurhurlin in the Paramount Legal Costs Ltd Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Jason Maguire’s mount won by 11 lengths on this course last time out from Willie Hall. He has been raised 10lb for that success, but he looks an improving horse and tomorrow’s extra three furlongs promises to suit him even better.

Nap selection Degas Art (3.00), a fluent winner at Kelso last time for Lucinda Russell, and the useful Aggie’s Lad (5.00) are two others to note.

racing selections

Newcastle (today)
2.00 Cloudy Too (NAP), 2.35 Stormy Weather, 3.05 Transact, 3.40 Rock Relief, 4.15 Liscahill Karella, 4.50 Definite Appeal, 5.20 Karmadice.

Today’s other meetings: Ffos Las, Kempton, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.

Carlisle (tomorrow)
2.30 Diamond D’amour, 3.00 Degas Art (NAP), 3.30 Nowurhurlin, 4.00 Rigadin de Beauchene, 4.30 Sustainability, 5.00 Aggie’s Lad.

Tomorrow’s other meeting: Newton Abbot.