BRIAN HUGHES, on the mark at Musselburgh, Hexham and Newcastle in the last three days, aims to maintain his winner-a-day theme aboard Samstown at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Hughes, pictured, who lives near Thirsk, is the leading jockey in the north this season and is the number-one pilot to Malcolm Jefferson's Norton stable.

He rides Samstown for Borders trainer Alistair Whillans, who sent out the gelding to win at his local Kelso course on his reappearance.

That half-length success confirmed Samstown, a good winner at Ayr on his final start of last season, to be a horse still on the upgrade.

The £45,000 Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase represents a step up in class for Samstown, but he is fancied to make a bold bid under the high-flying Hughes.

High-class hurdler Kings Palace will be a popular fancy in the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices' Chase.

David Pipe's charge made a winning debut over fences on this course three weeks ago when getting the better of Sausolito Sunrise. The runner-up takes him on again on better terms, given that Kings Palace now has a 3lb penalty to carry. It may not be enough for the tables to be turned.

Alan King can lift the final two starts with Ulzana's Raid and Miles To Memphis.

Ulzana's Raid won on this course on his re-appearance in October. He has since been raised 6lb by the handicapper, but this progressive gelding, winner of his final two starts last season, is fancied to extend his winning sequence in the Citipost Handicap Hurdle.

Miles To Memphis won all his three runs in bumper and was made a red-hot favourite on his hurdling debut at Leicester last month, only to finish second.

His jumping that day was hardly flawless, but provided he turns in a more fluent display of hurdling this time, he is selected to return to winning ways.

Tony McCoy is the star attraction at Doncaster and the legendary champion jockey is unlikely to return home empty-handed.

McCoy kicks-off aboard Red Devil Boys in the Park Hill Hospital Novices' Chase. Trained by John Ferguson, the seven-year-old, who has been sidelined for the best part of two parts, has had all his three starts on this course and has won a bumper and a hurdle.

He now tackles fences for the first time and although his lengthy absence is a concern, he could well be a useful horse over the major obstacles.

McCoy can also win the Betdaq Maiden Hurdle for Ferguson aboard Father Edward. Although he is far from being one of the Newmarket stable's stars, the five-year-old, who finished second at Ludlow last time, has shown enough to suggest he can win an event such as this.

Supporters of McCoy, who has been riding plenty of winners since returning from three weeks on the sidelines, may also have cause to celebrate after the concluding Betaq Handicap Hurdle, courtesy of Kelvingrove.

Jonjo O'Neill's gelding, a former useful handicapper on the Flat with Ed Vaughan, won on his hurdling debut at Stratford last season before coming unstuck on his only other start at Market Rasen when he was an odds-on favourite. There is more to come from him this season and he looks the type to pay his way in handicap company.

Prettyasapicture makes plenty of appeal in the Betdaq Mares' Handicap Hurdle. The five-year-old would have taken plenty of beating at Taunton on her latest start, only to fall when travelling strongly at the second-last flight. Already a winner this season at Huntingdon in October, Prettyasapicture is napped to get on top.

Also worth noting are Carolina Wren (2.20), a promising second at Uttoxeter on her reappearance after her summer break, and Arctic Ben (2.55), who likewise shaped well on his first run back this season when chasing home Listen Boy at Uttoxeter six weeks ago.

Racing selections

Doncaster today
12.10 Red Devil Boys, 12.45 Father Edward, 1.20 Prettyasapicture (NAP), 1.50 Sixty Something, 2.20 Carolina Wren, 2.55 Arctic Ben, 3.25 Kelvingrove.

Cheltenham today
12.30 Kings Palace, 1.05 Hollow Blue Sky, 1.40 Lought Kent, 2.10 Samstown, 2.40 Uncle Junior, 3.15 Ulzana's Raid, 3.45 Miles To Memphis.

Today's other meetings:Bangor and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow's meetings:Cheltenham, Doncaster, Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton.