RACING EUROPE can land the Jean Dawson Memorial Chase at Sedgefield for the in-form duo of Brian Ellison and Danny Cook.

Cook has enjoyed a stellar season for Sue Smith, winning two big pots on Wakanda and the Peter Marsh Chase, but Ellison has always been a big supporter, too.

Racing Europe lost nothing in defeat last time out when second at Catterick to Hester Flemen, who is probably the best mare in the north for Nicky Richards.

Always quite highly regarded, Racing Europe has been consistent without ever quite reaching the level that he once looked capable of.

His last run was a step back in the right direction and on pieces of his hurdles form, like when being narrowly beaten by Milansbar, he is well handicapped off 128.

Western Rules can defy a penalty for the Richards team in the Betfred Novices' Hurdle.

A smart bumper performer last season, running in the Aintree event won by Barters Hill, there were some long faces when he was turned over at odds-on on his hurdling debut.

However, his conqueror Jonniesofa is now rated 130 so it was no disgrace.

Western Rules made no mistake next time at Carlisle dropped in trip slightly and he should be hard to beat.

David Pipe sends Top Wood all the way up from his Nicholashayne base on the Devon/Somerset border for the Jean Taylor Memorial Handicap Chase and with Tom Scudamore taking the ride, the hint should be taken.

This drop in trip should be to his benefit.

Sue Smith and Danny Cook cannot do a lot wrong at the moment and team up with Good Vibration in the Happy 80th Don Robson "Bonnie Lad" Handicap Hurdle.

As a winning point-to-pointer he is bred to excel when going three miles or more and showed when stepping up to two and a half miles here at Christmas that stamina will be a strong suit.

He would welcome a slog through the mud and should improve again for his first try in a handicap.

Despite Felix Yonger and Flemenstar both being rated 160 ahead of the Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown, the bookmakers think the former is the much more likely winner.

While it was nice to see Flemenstar return to winning ways at Leopardstown, he was the beneficiary of Un De Sceaux falling and Simply Ned finding the run-in a lonely place.

The Willie Mullins-trained Felix Yonger, on the other hand, quickened smartly to win the Hilly Way and can continue to mop up this sort of race without being a stable big gun for Cheltenham.

It looks significant that Mullins lets Myska take on the boys in the Listed I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh seemed really taken with her when winning at the unexpected surroundings for a Mullins runner of Taunton and crucially takes the ride again in preference to stablemate Royal Caviar.

She should be a big player in the inaugural running of the mares' novice hurdle at the Festival in March.

Oscar Sam is progressing at a rate of knots for Jessica Harrington and he can make it four in a row in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

As he started his winning run from the lowly perch of 96, the handicapper is really struggling to get a handle on him.

Harrington has stated she would like to send him to Cheltenham, yet despite all his wins he is still running off only 127.

He would need to win again to stand any chance of getting a run at the Festival so he will be trying his level best.

There is every reason to expect a big run from Ballyboker Bridge in the P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

Peter Maher's nine-year-old has not been seen too much under Rules but won this event 12 months ago and ran a huge race at Cheltenham last time out when third to Josies Orders in December, only giving best late on.

Horses for courses is never a bad thing in this type of contest.

Baie Des Iles could still be anything over fences and should be followed in the racinguk.com/freetrial Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.