DANNY Cook can return to action in a blaze of glory at Sedgefield this evening after serving a six-month suspension, incurred for testing positive for cocaine, at Musselburgh in February.

Cook, who had been enjoying his best-ever season with 31 winners prior to his ban, is largely supported by Norton trainer Brian Ellison and also Bingley-based Sue Smith. Both handlers have provided Cook with winning chances as he resumes his career.

Ellison has booked him for Viens Chercher and Come On Sunshine, while Smith has handed him the mount on Alf The Audacious in the Albert Hill Commercials Novices' Handicap Chase.

After a lengthy time on the sidelines, Alf The Audacious finished second in a chase at Uttoxeter early last season, but has since been out of action again. His chance here depends on his fitness, but Smith has a good record with horses returning from time off and the gelding should not be underestimated.

Cook probably has stronger chances on the two Ellison runners. Viens Chercher, previously trained in France by Guillaume Macaire, failed to get off the mark on the other side of the channel but showed enough to suggest he can make his presence felt in the Grosvenor Casino Newcastle Novices' Hurdle.

In the Roflow Specialist Ventilation Systems Handicap Hurdle, Come On Sunshine should go well. Presumably sharpened-up by a run on the Flat last month, which was albeit a pretty ordinary effort, Come On Sunshine is the winner of two of his five hurdles starts. He is entitled to go well for Cook, who will be pleased to back in action after missing the bulk of this year so far.

Up at Musselburgh, Jack Garritty can aid his quest to become this season's champion apprentice on the flat by completing a double for his boss Richard Fahey.

Novinophobia will have Garritty's assistance in the Watch On The Racing UK App Nursery Handicap over seven furlongs. A respectable fifth at Goodwood last time, the youngster takes an appreciable drop in class here - from class 2 to class 6 . and is napped to capitalise.

Spring Offensive is Garritty's mount in the featured Kettle Produce Ltd Handicap. Although yet to get off the mark this season, the Malton gelding has run some solid races in defeat, not least at Pontefract last time when he finished third, beaten less than a length.

Fahey can also win the Partnership Challenge Handicap with Desire. A decisive scorer at Leicester last time when appreciating the step up to seven furlongs, Desire is selected to defy a 6lb penalty which is partially erased by the 3lb claim of Sammy Jo Bell, which can only be an advantage.

Middleham trainer Sean Regan has done a good job with Tourtiere, who lines-up in the Scott Coppola Electrical Distributors Handicap.

An 80-1 winner of the Ladies' Derby at Ripon in mid-summer Tourtiere has since proved that win was no fluke. He was successful on this course on his latest start, three weeks ago.

He has been raised 7lb for that success, but it may not be enough to spoil his winning chances with Jordan Vaughan, claiming 5lb, in the saddle.

Linda Perratt has been having a good time of it in Scotland this season and she could add to her winning tally with Saxonette in the ECPH Handicap over five furlongs.

The mount of PJ McDonald, the seven-year-old failed by a only a whisker at Ayr last time out. She won this race 12 months ago and has every chance of doing so again.

SELECTIONS

Musselburgh

2.00 Life Of Fame

2.30 Novinophobia (NAP)

3.00 Mowhoob

3.30 Tourtiere

4.00 Spring Offensive

4.30 Desire

5.05 Saxonette

Sedgefield

5.00 Viens Chercher

5.30 Vayland

6.00 The Bay Bandit

6.30 Strictly The One

7.00 Come On Sunshine

7.30 Alf The Audacious

8.00 Supapowers