CYRUS DARIUS, who created a big impression on his hurdling debut at Newcastle earlier this month, makes the journey from North Yorkshire to Hexham today in a bid to further showcase his talents.

Trained at Norton by Malcolm Jefferson, whose horses are in better form now than they have been for more than six months, nap selection Cyrus Darius runs in the opening SIS Novices’ Hurdle with Brian Hughes again in the saddle.

In the frame in a couple of bumpers, Cyrus Darius was re-appearing after a break when he went to Newcastle three weeks ago.

Jumping soundly throughout and possessing the ability to travel strongly, he asserted in the closing stages to win by a dozen lengths without having a hard time of it.

The third horse in that race, Bobs Lord Tamure, has since franked the form by winning at Carlisle and getting the better of an odds-on favourite.

Cyrus Darius looks an exciting prospect. He can confirm that impression by defying a penalty this afternoon.

Philip Hobbs does not send many runners to Hexham from his base at Minehead in Somerset, so it is surely significant that Onenightinvienna makes the long trek north to contest the Chollerford Novices’ Hurdle.

The six-year-old failed by only a nose to make a winning comeback after a year off at Chepstow earlier this month. Provided this race does not come too quickly for him, he ought to be hard to beat.

Willie Hall returns to this course for the Primary Websites Handicap Chase after getting his nose in front on his latest visit.

He is 5lb higher now, but Lisa Harrison’s 11-year-old remains on a competitive mark, especially with the promising Ryan Day taking 7lb off his back, courtesy of his conditional allowance.

Make It Happen (4.10), who has been running respectably this season, and Beer Goggles (5.15), runner-up in both his starts at Carlisle and Newcastle, also command respect.

On the Flat at Wolverhampton, Gabrial The Terror bids to complete a four-timer for Malton trainer Richard Fahey in the 32Red Handicap. Tony Hamilton is in the saddle.

All his three recent wins have been gained on this course. He began off a mark of 66, followed up off 69 and completed his hat- trick under a rating of 75.

Life is getting tougher now that he’s up to 78, but with his confidence sky-high, Gabrial The Terror will be a tough nut to crack.

Fahey, incidentally, runs two horses under the same ownership of Dr Marwan Koukash, in Saturday’s BetBright £100,000 Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster.

Gabrial and Gabrial’s Kaka will represent the Fahey-Koukash team, while the trainer is also aiming to run Spirit Of The Law, a York winner last summer to give him three chances of bagging the traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat turf campaign.

Emily Davison may prove the answer to the Unibet Handicap over five furlongs.

Previously with Karen Tutty and now with Heather Dalton, the sprinter won narrowly at Chelmsford last time and has every chance of following-up after being raised only one pound by the handicapper.

The promising Verismo (2.50) makes appeal in the maiden, while in the concluding three-year-old handicap, an eye should be kept on Burtonwood (5.35), having his first outing for Norton trainer Julie Camacho and also making his all-weather debut.

He was a winner for Richard Fahey last season and was also in the frame in Listed company at Epsom.

Hexham today: 2.30 Cyrus Darius (NAP), 3.00 Onenightinvienna, 3.35 Willie Hall, 4.10 Make It Happen, 4.45 Brother Scott, 5.15 Beer Goggles, 5.45 Buckled.

Wolverhampton today: 2.20 Sixties Queen, 2.50 Verismo, 3.25 Emily Davison, 4.00 Maxwell, 4.35 Gabrial The Terror, 5.05 Ginger Fizz, 5.35 Burtonwood.

Today’s other meeting: Southwell.