QUITE what Silvestre de Sousa thought when Saeed bin Suroor booked him for the ride on Hersigh is anyone's guess, but the pair should be celebrating a winner at Chelmsford.

De Sousa might have thought he was made, if not for life, then certainly for longer than the three years which he held the post as Godolphin's retained rider.

He was let go by Sheikh Mohammed's operation, but the following year was crowned champion jockey and all was rosy again. And while he looks like losing his crown to Jim Crowley, the Brazilian is at the top of his game.

In contrast, it has been a tough season for Bin Suroor, with the virus, prevalent throughout Newmarket, hitting him harder than most but he has emerged through the other side and the winners are starting to push through again.

This is traditionally the time of year he does well, winning lots of maidens, and Hersigh, having made her debut when the yard was all wrong, showed much more when second to a promising type in Belle Diva last month.

The Poet's Voice filly tackles colts here - and some well-bred ones at that - but if she continues to progress her experience should stand her in good stead in the Totepool Racecourse Cash Back Available Maiden.

Stablemate Basem can see off a host of three-year-olds in the totepool Racing's Biggest Supporter Conditions Stakes.

The five-year-old, winner of the Wood Ditton a couple of years ago. is the sort of twilight horse Godolphin have struggled with in recent years, too high in the handicap to win the big ones but not quite good enough to mix it in Pattern races.

This year he has run a cracker in the John Smith's Cup to be fifth to Educate and was second to Belgian Bill in a Listed race in Turkey last time out.

Given time to get over that, he might just be a bit more streetwise than some of his younger opponents.

Run To The Hills is an interesting runner sent all the way to Ayr for the Crabbies Handicap.

He was supposed to run at Ascot last week but was pulled out when well fancied for a hot handicap.

George Peckham's charge is the only three-year-old in a field of 14 but there looked to be plenty more in the locker when he won at Thirsk in August.

He was hit with an 8lb rise but that was only the fourth run of his life so he has far more scope to progress than the rest of the field, who are mostly exposed.

The booking of leading northern apprentice Adam McNamara is another positive.

Racing finally returns to Hereford where Tom George's Roc D'Apsis is the pick in the bet365.com Silver Salver Handicap Chase.

Third to Theatre Guide in the old Racing Plus Chase at Kempton, he was subsequently dropped 2lb after pulling up at Aintree.

He needs good ground to be seen at his best and everything looks in place for a big run.

SELECTIONS:

AYR: 1.40 Midaawi, 2.10 Reckless Serenade, 2.40 Wahaab, 3.15 Taffetta, 3.50 Duke Cosimo, 4.25 Run To The Hills, 5.00 Reinforced, 5.30 Ted's Brother.

CHELMSFORD: 5.55 Pranceleya, 6.25 Really Special, 6.5 HERSIGH (NAP), 7.25 Basem, 7.55 Statuesque, 8.25 Lmntrix, 8.55 Free Bounty.

EXETER: 2.20 Court King, 2.55 Regal Flow, 3.30 Pawn Star, 4.05 Minellacelebration, 4.40 Barwick, 5.15 Zarliman.

HEREFORD: 2.00 Rather Be, 2.30 Colin's Sister, 3.05 Definite Outcome, 3.40 Collodi, 4.15 Roc D'Apsis, 4.50 Aces Over Eights, 5.20 Rouge Devils.

DOUBLE: Hersigh and Run To The Hills.