LAMBOURN trainer Warren Greatrex, whose World Hurdle winner Cole Harden was narrowly denied a Grade 1 double at Aintree on Saturday, will have eyes only for Southwell’s Flat meeting today.

Edward Greatrex, teenage son of the jumps trainer, makes only his second appearance at the Fibresand course and has an outstanding chance of riding a winner on nap selection Haines for his Kingsclere boss, Andrew Balding.

Haines remains a maiden on turf after six outings, but he has a much better record on synthetic surfaces, with three wins from five all-weather starts. Twice successful at Kempton, he was most recently triumphant at Chelmsford under David Probert.

Greatrex, who has ridden two winners this season from a dozen mounts, takes over this afternoon. His only previous ride on this track was a loser, but the in-form Haines should set the record straight for him - and also put a wide smile on the face of his father.

Queen Of Skies makes plenty of appeal in the Toteexacta Handicap over 11 furlongs.

Runner-up on her last two starts, and beaten by only a neck by Sonnetation at Wolverhampton last time, Queen Of Skies is expected to go well for Andrew Mullen.

It would hardly be surprising to see Poppy Bond resume winning ways in the Toteswinger Handicap.

The mare, trained by Alan Bailey, won at Wolverhampton and on this course before coming up short at Chelmsford on her latest start. She is back up to seven furlongs here and, with Graham Gibbons on board, should go well on a surface that plainly suits her.

Cashpoint, winner of the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar last season, may be in the twilight of his career at the age of ten, but Ian Williams’ charge looks capable of winning the Totequickpick Claiming Stakes. Richard Kingscote has the mount.

At Carlisle’s final jumps meeting of the campaign, the in-form combination of Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson and jockey Brian Hughes could well figure among the winners.

Jefferson enjoyed a career highlight at Aintree last week when Cyrus Darius romped home in Grade 2 company under Hughes, who also won on Surf And Turf at the Liverpool meeting before turning up at Market Rasen on Sunday to record his maiden century of winners.

Our Boy Ben represents Jefferson and Hughes in the first division of the Apollobet Worldwide Lotteries Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old, a winner over hurdles, has yet to open his account over fences in two starts, but he remains a horse of some potential, not least on pedigree, and it would be hasty to write him off too quickly. This race lacks strength in depth and it would be no surprise to see him take a hand, particularly given the form of the Jefferson horses.

High Hopper will be given his first taste of racecourse action by Jefferson in the Apollobet Standard National Hunt Flat Race. A son of Mountain High, the five-year-old comes from a stable with a decent record in these bumper events. With Hughes on board, he is worthy of some attention.

In the Apollobet Handicap Chase, Vasco D’Ycy may finally break his duck over fences.

Trained at Middleham by Jedd O’Keeffe, the six-year-old has had seven tries over the major obstacles and is overdue a winning turn. He finished second at Wetherby on his latest start, beaten only a neck by Greenlaw. He also occupied the runner-up spot on this course on his previous start.

Also worth keeping a close eye on are Sgt Reckless (3.10), another Brian Hughes mount, who promises to be different class to his rivals over fences, and Simmply Sam (5.20), a rare ride on this course for Jerry McGrath, who was among the winners at Aintree on Grand National day.

Southwell today
2.20 Saved My Bacon, 2.50 Queen Of Skies, 3.20 Abi Scarlet, 3.55 Snoozing Indian, 4.30 Poppy Bond, 5.00 Cashpoint, 5.30 Haines (NAP).

Carlisle today
2.10 See The Legend, 2.40 Knight Valliant, 3.10 Sgt Reckless, 3.45 Bobs Lord Tara, 4.20 Vasco D’Ycy, 4.50 Our Boy Ben, 5.20 Simmply Sam, 5.50 High Hopper.

Today’s other meeting
Exeter.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Beverley, Cheltenham, Kempton and Newmarket.